Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)
A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a type of ministry-approved specialized program. This program provides an opportunity for students to focus on knowledge and skills that are relevant to a specific sector. As well, students work towards earning certifications and completing experiential learning in the SHSM sector while completing their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) requirements.
Every SHSM includes the following five components:
- a package of required credits that constitute a pathway to one of four destinations (i.e., apprenticeship, college, university, workplace) which includes two (2) co-operative education credits;
- sector certifications (such as WHMIS, First Aid, CPR);
- experiential learning;
- “reach ahead” opportunities, which allow students to experience learning in their intended postsecondary destination; and
- and a sector partner experience (an innovation, creativity or entrepreneurship (ICE) challenge, coding, or math literacy experience completed with a community partner).
Opportunities to complete all five SHSM components will be offered at your secondary school.
SHSM programs concentrating on various sectors include: Agriculture, Arts and Culture, Business, Construction, Environment, Health and Wellness, Hospitality and Tourism, Information and Communications Technology, Non Profit, Sports, Transportation and Manufacturing are available in the Waterloo Region District School Board. For sector program availability and additional information, please contact your guidance department.
The following is a list of SHSM programs offered at GCI:
- Business
- Information and Communications Technology
- Sport