Specialist High Skills Major
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What are Specialist High Skills Majors?
Specialist High Skills Majors let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:
- complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student's selected field
- earn valuable industry certifications including First Aid and CPR qualifications
- gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements.
Who are they for?
Grade 11 and 12 students who are:
- heading for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace
- wanting to identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed choices about their next steps after secondary school.
Benefits of an SHSM
Pursuing an SHSM can help students:
- customize their high school education to suit their interests and talents
- develop specialized knowledge and skills
- earn credits that postsecondary educational institutions and employers recognize
- gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training
- engage in STEM-related activities that develop innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
- identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their future
- transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace
- remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change
Graduating with an SHSM
Students who successfully complete an SHSM receive:
- an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with an embossed SHSM seal
- an SHSM record documenting their achievement
- formal recognition on their Ontario Student Transcript
SHSM Post-Secondary Opportunities
SHSM students identify themselves through a checkbox on OCAS and OUAC when they are applying to College or University. There are scholarship and incentive opportunities for SHSM graduates at some of the following post-secondary institutions:
- Lakehead University
- McMaster University
- Niagara College Canada
- St. Mary's University
- Trent University
- University of Guelph - Humber
- University of Guelph - Ontario Agricultural College
- Western University
- York University
SHSMs at our School
| Environment |
Lead Teacher Mr. Grainger
Video Courtesy of Grand Erie DSB |
| Hospitality and Tourism (Hairstyling) |
Lead Teacher Ms. Till
|
| Hospitality and Tourism (Culinary) |
Lead Teacher Ms. Henry
Video Courtesy of Grand Erie DSB |
| Manufacturing |
| Lead Teacher Mr. Patterson Click here for the Ontario Government SHSM Guide Your Future Your Skills booklet Video Courtesy of Grand Erie DSB |
| Sports |
Lead Teacher Ms. Salmers
Video Courtesy of LDCSB Schools |
