A Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) is a Ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). A Specialist High Skills Major program enables students to gain sector-specific skills and knowledge in the context of engaging, career-related learning environments and helps them focus on graduation and on pursuing their postsecondary goals.
| What is required for a SHSM? |
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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 post-secondary pathway
5. development of essential skills and work habits required in the sector and the use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) for purposes of documentation
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| Advantages of a SHSM |
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Pursuing a SHSM enables students to:
- discover the relationship between school and careers
- customize their secondary school education to suit specific interests and talents
- hear and see first hand what a career in the sector feels and looks like
- develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary educational
institutions
- earn credits that are recognized by the sector and postsecondary 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 postsecondary destination
- remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change
- gain confidence their ability to succeed
- network with post-secondary institutions, local industries and businesses
- open doors for summer jobs and future employment opportunities
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| How is a SHSM recognized? |
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Students who successfully complete a SHSM receive:
- an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with an embossed red seal indicating "Specialist High Skills
Major"
- a SHSM Record documenting his/her achievement
- formal recognition on his/her Ontario Student Transcript
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| For more information |
- Ministry of Education: SHSM (Fact Sheet)
If you are interested in participating in the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program, contact our Guidance office.
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