Completing a Specialist High Skills Major

What is it?

A defined bundle of credits consisting of eight to ten Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits, including cooperative education credits.

Students will:

• Select courses for grades 11 and 12 that include the courses needed for the sector as part of their timetable.

• Ensure 2 cooperative education credits are part of their plan through grades 11 and 12.

• Check timetables first thing in the school year to ensure that they will be taking the courses you need.

• Talk to a Guidance counsellor if not sure what to choose or that they have the courses needed.

• Complete courses successfully, including Contextualized Learning Activities (CLAs) as applicable (mostly in English and Math courses).

School Teams will:

• Provide a range of courses that allow students to choose the courses they need;

• Assist students in ensuring that the courses students need are included in their course selections and timetables;

• Arrange relevant co-op experiences with student input.

• Track completion of required courses on student's transcripts and SHSM record.

What is it?

Sector-recognized certifications and training courses and programs, including First Aid, CPR, and WHMIS.

Students will:

• Track what certifications they have, and what they need;

• Listen for / look for announcements from the school team about upcoming training opportunities;

• Get the information and complete any tasks (forms, permission, etc.) needed to attend;

• Attend training events and complete them successfully;

• Ensure copies of certificates are left with lead teachers or Guidance;

• Bring copies of certificates they may have already earned to lead teacher or Guidance to confirm they can be counted.

School Teams will:

• Provide opportunities to gain all compulsory certifications, and at least enough electives to fulfill requirements;

• Cover most or all costs associated with training arranged through the school;

• Inform students of upcoming training opportunities through meetings, school announcements, and online communication as applicable;

• Track completion of certification and training for student's SHSM record.

What is it?

Learning activities, planned by the school team, that take place outside the traditional classroom setting. Experiential learning may take a variety of forms, including:

• career exploration activities

• job shadowing

• job twinning

• work experience

• virtual work experience

Students will:

• Listen for / look for announcements from the school team about upcoming experiential learning opportunities;

• Get the information and complete any tasks (forms, permission, etc.) needed to attend;

• Attend activities and complete them successfully;

• Ensure evidence of participation is recorded by lead teachers or Guidance for their SHSM record.

• Reflect on their learning and apply it to guide their pathways through high school and beyond .

School Teams will:

• Plan and provide learning and exploration opportunities related to the SHSM sector;

• Cover most or all costs associated with learning and exploration activities arranged through the school;

• Inform students of upcoming opportunities through meetings, school announcements, and online communication as applicable;

• Track completion of experiential learning and career exploration for students' SHSM records.

What is it?

These experiences enable Grade 11 and 12 students to gain confidence in their ability to be successful, refine skills and work habits, and make informed choices about future careers and next steps. Reach ahead opportunities could include:

• interviewing an employee in the field of work the SHSM student is considering;

• visiting an approved apprenticeship delivery agent to investigate a program of interest to the SHSM student;

• interviewing a college or university student enrolled in a program of interest to the SHSM student;

• attending a number of college or university classes in the student's area of interest;

• attending a conference or workshop held by the sector;

• completing a dual credit course.

Students will:

• Listen for / look for announcements from the school team about upcoming reach ahead opportunities;

• Find opportunities related to their particular interests, and check with the SHSM team for approval before participating;

• Get the information and complete any tasks (forms, permission, etc.) needed to attend;

• Attend activities and complete them successfully;

• Ensure evidence of participation is recorded by lead teachers or Guidance for their SHSM record.

• Reflect on their learning and apply it to guide their pathways through high school and beyond .

School Teams will:

• Provide opportunities for reach ahead activities related to the SHSM sector;

• Assist students in finding and participating in activities relevant to their individual pathways where feasible;

• Cover most or all costs associated with school-provided activities;

• Inform students of upcoming activities through meetings, school announcements, and online communication as applicable;

• Track completion of certification and training for student's SHSM record.

What is it?

Students participate in a learning activity, co-delivered by the school and a partner (e.g. business, organization, or post-secondary institution) related to the SHSM sector. The SPE activity is at least 6 hours, and will focus on one of three themes: Mathematical Literacy; Coding/technology; or Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship.

Students will:

• Listen for / look for announcements from the school team about upcoming SPCE activities;

• Get the information and complete any tasks (forms, permission, etc.) needed to attend;

• Attend the SPCE and complete it successfully in their grade 11 or 12 year;

• Ensure evidence of participation is recorded by lead teachers or Guidance for their SHSM record.

• Reflect on their learning and apply it to guide their pathways through high school and beyond .

School Teams will:

• Plan and provide opportunity for a SPE related to the SHSM sector along with the sector partner;

• Cover most or all costs associated with school-provided activities;

• Inform students of upcoming SPE through meetings, school announcements, and online communication as applicable;

• Track completion of the SPE for student's SHSM record.