Specialist High Skills Majors

SHSM Programs- Enhance Your Learning

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a ministry-approved program allowing students to focus their learning in a specific economic sector while meeting requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. Students are able to customize their courses to suit their interests and talents while preparing for a sector specific apprenticeship, college, university, or workplace destination. Students will be required to complete specific subjects in a major focus area and complete industry certification courses. Students can enroll in the program in their senior years after they have completed their grade 10 credit requirements.

FIVE Specialist High Skills Major programs are offered at Arthur Voaden:

Arts and Culture- Visual Arts, Instrumental Music, Drama, Hairstyling and Aesthetics

Construction- Construction, Manufacturing, Electrical and Custom Woodworking

Health and Wellness- Health and Wellness and Physical Education

Hospitality and Tourism- Chef / Baker

Transportation- Automotive Service

Within each of the sector specific SHSMs, there are five components to be completed for graduation at which time students will receive a diploma with the SHSM designation included.

Five components of the SHSM include:

1. A package of 8–10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits which includes:

i) 4 major senior credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills;

ii) 2–4 other required senior credits from the Ontario curriculum, which include contextualized learning activities;

iii) 2 cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting

2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses

3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector

4. “Reach ahead” experiences connected with the student’s chosen post-secondary pathway.

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

Pathway Overviews for Each SHSM