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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 in grades 11 & 12
earn valuable industry certifications
gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements
participate in Reach Ahead Activities & Sector-Partner Experiences
the benefits of Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs
the benefits of Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Programs
Pursuing a SHSM enables students to:
• Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents
• Develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
• Earn credits that are recognized by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
• Acquire sector and career relevant certification and training
• Gain confidence in their knowledge of the SHSM Sector
• Identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed decisions about their postsecondary destination
• Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways
Who are they for?
Who are they for?
Grade 11 and 12 students who are:
heading for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace (all pathways)
wanting to identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed choices about their next steps after secondary school
What does the REd Seal Mean?
What does the REd Seal Mean?
Employers and post-secondary institutions recognize that a student has participated in a specialized, career-focused program, above and beyond the basic requirements of the OSSD
The student has focussed his/her program in a particular economic sector and has successfully completed all key program requirements for both the Red Seal and the OSSD
components of a SHSM (4)
components of a SHSM (4)
1. Bundle of Credits
1. Bundle of Credits
Students complete 8-10 sector-specific courses in their SHSM pathway, including 2 cooperative education credits
Students complete sector-specific assignments (CLAs) in various subject areas
2. Certifications
2. Certifications
SHSM students complete 3-4 compulsory certifications (eg. CPR/First Aid/AED, WHMIS etc.) as well as 3-4 additional sector-specific certifications (eg. Working at Heights for the Manufacturing SHSM)
3. Experiential Learning
3. Experiential Learning
Students participate in activities that provide opportunities to explore and reflect on a variety of sector-specific experiences and careers (eg. guest speakers, job shadowing, interviews, etc.)
4. Reach Ahead Activities
4. Reach Ahead Activities
Students participate in activities that allow students to explore and experience post-secondary destinations within the sector and pathway (eg. field trips)
SHSM Scholarships and Bursaries
SHSM Scholarships and Bursaries
Each year more and more post-secondary institutions are providing entrance scholarships and bursaries for our Red-Seal graduates!
Ministry of Education -
Ministry of Education -
Catholic Graduate Expectations
Catholic Graduate Expectations
The SHSM program supports not only the attainment of a Sector-Specific Red Seal on the OSSD but also the ongoing development of the Catholic Graduate Expectations.
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