Specialist High Skills Major
What is a Specialist High Skill Major (SHSM)?
SHSM STUDENT REGISTRATION FORM
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is a ministry-approved specialized program that enhances knowledge and skills of career-related learning and is obtained in conjunction with meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This program was designed to allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector and assist in the transition from secondary school to post-secondary endeavours such as apprenticeship, post-secondary education or entering the workforce.
Each Specialist High Skills Major program must be approved by the ministry. Every SHSM must include the following five components, which are outlined in detail in individual guides for each sector:
1. A bundle of 8-10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits that includes:
4 major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
2-4 other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in which some expectations are met through learning activities contextualized to the sector
2 cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills
2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses.
3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector.
4. 'Reach ahead' experiences connected with the student's chosen postsecondary pathway
5. Development of Essential Skills and work habits, and the use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) for purposes of documentation.
Advantages to completing a SHSM
discover the relationship between education and an economic sector;
customize their secondary school education to suit specific interests and talents;
develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary educational institutions;
earn credits that are recognized by the sector and post-secondary educational institutions;
gain sector-specific, industry-recognized and career-relevant certifications and training;
develop essential skills and work habits that are valued by the sector and recorded using the tools in the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP);
identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their post-secondary pathway;
gain confidence in their ability to succeed;
network with post-secondary institutions, local industries and businesses; and
open doors for summer jobs and future employment opportunities.
St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School is offering the following 6 SHSM:
Information and Communications Technology
