Specialist High Skills Major

Port Perry High School offers a number of SHSM (Specialist High Skills Majors) in the following sectors: Business, Construction, Energy, The Environment, Health and Wellness, Hospitality and Tourism, and Transportation. The SHSM is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements for the OSSD.

This career-focussed program is also designed to help prepare students to make the transition from secondary school to apprenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace. An SHSM 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 post-secondary goals.

Required Components for the SHSM:

• a bundle of courses in the sector-specific pathway; including 4 major credits, 3 other required courses and a cooperative education placement;

• sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs;

• experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector;

• "reach ahead" experiences connected with the student’s post-secondary pathway;

• development of Essential Skills and work habits required in the sector, and use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP).