Profile - Manufacturing

Automobiles, wood products, petroleum and coal products, iron and steel mills, primary metals and fabricated metal products, electricity, plastics and rubber products, printing, biotechnology, textiles, clothing and leather products are all aspects of the manufacturing sector. In Ontario, the manufacturing sector still accounts for the greatest number of jobs with its production of consumer and industrial goods that are essential for the province’s prosperity. Although the manufacturing sector remains a powerhouse in our economy, contributing 15 per cent of gross domestic product in 2007, the sector is undergoing fundamental change.1
1 Statistics Canada, Canada Yearbook Overview 2008, www41.statcan.ca/2008/ceb_r000_2008-eng.htm.

Required Components for the SHSM – Manufacturing

The SHSM – Manufacturing has the following five required components:

1. A bundle of nine Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits.

These credits make up the bundle:

• Four manufacturing major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills

• Three other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in English, mathematics and science, in which some expectations are met through learning activities contextualized to the manufacturing sector

• Two co-operative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, apply and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills

Exception: If a student obtains a four (4) credit co-op, they may choose to use one additional co-operative education credit to substitute for one “major credit” and/or one “other required credit” (not from the Math or English categories).

There are NO extra credits required to complete this program.

All required credits may be obtained within the 30 required credits for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

2. Six sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs

The SHSM in manufacturing requires students to complete six sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs. Of these, three are compulsory and the remaining three are electives that must be chosen from the list in the following table. Note that items in the list that are capitalized are the proper names of specific certifications or training courses/programs that are appropriate for the SHSM. Items that are lowercased are names of the areas or categories within which specific certifications or training courses/programs should be selected by the school or board. The requirements are summarized in the table below.

3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities

Experiential learning and career exploration opportunities relevant to the sector might include:

• one-on-one observation of a cooperative education student at a placement in the manufacturing sector (example of job twinning)

• a day-long observation of a skilled tradesperson in the manufacturing sector (example of job shadowing)

• a one- or two-week work experience with a member of an industry association or a professional in the sector (example of work experience)

• participation in a local, provincial, or national Skills Canada competition

• a tour of a range of manufacturing enterprises

• attendance at a manufacturing trade show, conference, or job fair

• attendance at demonstrations and hands-on activities presented by equipment vendors

4. Reach ahead experiences

Students are provided one or more reach ahead experiences – opportunities to take the next steps along their chosen pathway – as shown in the following examples:

• Apprenticeship: visiting an approved apprenticeship delivery agent in the sector

• College: interviewing a college student enrolled in a sector-specific program

• University: observing a university class in a sector-related program

• Workplace: interviewing an employee in the sector

5. Essential Skills and work habits and the OSP

Students will develop Essential Skills and work habits required in the sector and document them using the OSP, a component of the SHSM.

Seven Key Benefits for Students Pursuing a SHSM enables students to:

1. Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents

2. Develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary education institutions

3. Earn credits that are recognized by the sector and postsecondary education institutions

4. Gain sector-specific and career-relevant certification and training

5. Develop Essential Skills and work habits that are valued by the sector, recorded using the tools in the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)

6. Identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed decisions about their postsecondary destination

7. Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways should their goals and plans change

Exploration (Grades 9 and 10)

In addition, students considering this SHSM can be encouraged to enroll in the following courses to become better informed about careers and postsecondary options in the sector:

• Exploring Technologies (TIJ1OA): This Grade 9 course is recommended for all students following SHSM pathways that have a technological education focus. The course provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of technologies, including manufacturing technology, by engaging in activities related to them.

• Manufacturing Technology (TMJ2O): This course is recommended for any Grade 10 student who is considering enrolling in a SHSM – Manufacturing program.

Occupations in the Manufacturing Sector

The following table provides examples of occupations in the manufacturing sector, with corresponding National Occupation Classifications, sorted according to the type of postsecondary education or training the occupations would normally require.