SHSM Construction

The Specialist High Skills Major in Construction (SHSM–Construction) helps students build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university or an entry-level position in the workplace.

This SHSM program has 5 required components: 

• bundle of 10 credits

• certifications and training recognized by the construction sector

• experiential learning and career exploration activities

• reach ahead experiences

• sector-partnered experiences (SPEs)

Certifications and training

Students must complete 5 compulsory and 2 elective certifications and/or training courses/programs that are recognized by the construction sector.

Compulsory certifications and training

Students must complete:

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C — includes automated external defibrillation (AED)

• Standard First Aid

• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) — generic, not site-specific, instruction

• working at heights

• Health and safety - basic

These are the proper names of the specific certifications or training courses/programs for this SHSM.

Elective certifications and training

These are names of an area, type or category of training. In these cases, your school board selects the specific certifications or training courses and programs.

Students must complete any 2 of the following electives:

• advanced training in a technique

• advanced training in a technology

• anti-oppression and allyship training

• basic electrical safety

• Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) – flat

• chainsaw safety

• computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)

• confined space awareness

• customer service

• elevated work platforms

• energy efficiency training (such as Energy Star, LEED)

• fall protection

• fire safety and fire extinguisher use

• first aid/CPR/AED awareness

• hoisting and rigging

• infection control

• insulated concrete forming

• land surveying basics

• leadership skills

• lockout/tagging

• ozone-depletion prevention

• portfolio development

• powder-actuated tools

• project management

• propane in construction

• scaffold safety

• sector specific software 1

• sector-specific vehicle operation and safety

• specialized skills training program/competition (such as Skills Canada provincial level, WoodLINKS)

• suspended access equipment

• traffic control

• trenching safety

Learn more about certification and training in SHSM programs.

Experiential learning and career exploration activities

Experiential learning and career exploration opportunities relevant to the construction sector might include instances where an SHSM student:

• observes a co-op student one-on-one at a placement in the construction sector (an example of job twinning)

• shadows a skilled tradesperson in the construction sector for a day (an example of job shadowing)

• works with a member of a construction sector professional for 1 or 2 weeks (an example of work experience)

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

• tours of a municipal planning department

• attends at a construction sector trade show, conference or job fair

• volunteers with a non-profit organization such as Habitat for Humanity

Learn more about SHSM program experiential learning and career exploration opportunities.

Reach ahead experiences

The SHSM-Construction must provide students with 1 or more reach ahead experiences. These are 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 construction sector

• college: interviewing a college student enrolled in a construction-specific program

• university: observing a university class in a construction-related program

• workplace: interviewing an employee in the construction sector

Learn more about reach ahead experiences.

Sector-partnered experiences (SPEs)

Students engage with a sector partner to learn about construction and how it connects with ICE (innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship), coding and/or math literacy skills.

Learn more about SPEs in SHSM programs.

Careers in the construction sector

These are examples of careers in the construction sector, sorted by the type of postsecondary education or training the careers usually require.

Apprenticeship training

• bricklayers

• carpenters

• construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

• electricians (except industrial and power system)

• heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

• painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

• plumbers

• roofers and shinglers 

College

• architectural technologists and technicians

• civil engineering technologists and technicians

• construction estimators

• construction inspectors

• construction managers

• contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations

• home building and renovation managers

• interior designers and interior decorators 

University

• architects

• civil engineers

• electrical and electronics engineers

• mechanical engineers 

Workplace

• concrete finishers

• construction trades helpers and labourers

• home building and renovation managers 

Information and resources

Partnership opportunities

For local labour market opportunities in construction, please contact your school board’s SHSM lead.

The SHSM model

This SHSM’s requirements are unique and geared to the construction sector. However, the design of all SHSM programs follows a consistent model with 5 required components.

Find more information about the components of an SHSM.