Specialist High Skills Major
TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY (SHSM)
Transportation… Where Math, Physics and Engineering Meet!
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a Ministry approved specialized program for students in grades 11 and 12. It allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. SHSMs support student transitions to college, apprenticeship, university and the workplace.
The SHSM program in Transportation gives students an opportunity to specialize, gain qualifications, and plan a career pathway in various areas of the Transportation sector. The SHSM program has a number of required components including:
1. A package of 8-10 required credits (the majority earned in grade 11 and 12 courses) that constitute a pathway to one of four possible destinations: apprenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace. The package must include:
● Four (4) credits (called the "major" credits) for courses that provide knowledge and skills closely related to the particular sector of specialization, which are specified in each of the frameworks;
● Three (3) additional credits for courses in English and other relevant disciplines (e.g. science, mathematics, or business studies), as specified in each of the frameworks, which include units of study that are customized to the particular sector. Some credits (e.g. English) may be used to meet compulsory credit requirements for the OSSD;
● Two (2) co-operative education credits, which may be used to meet 2 of the 18 compulsory credit requirements for the OSSD.
● NOTE: The guidance department will help you to plan for these required courses if you are interested in the SHSM program.
2. Compulsory certifications, which are identified in each SHSM framework, including first aid and CPR qualifications.
3. Experiential learning through job shadowing, work experience, and a minimum of two credits earned through cooperative education.
4. A Sector Partnered Contextualized Component (SPCC) including one of the following options: Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (ICE) training; sector-delivered contextualized coding; or, sector-delivered mathematical literacy.
5. "Reach ahead" opportunities, which allow students to experience learning in their intended post-secondary destination and which can range from a day of attendance at a college, a university, a workplace experience or to the completion of a dual credit.
Career opportunities in the Transportation Sector include, but are not limited to:
Apprenticeship Training:
Alignment and Brakes Technician Auto Body Repair
Automotive Painter Marine Engine Technician
Motorcycle Technician Parts Technician
Recreation Vehicle Technician Small Engine Technician
Transmission Technician Truck Service Technician
College Training:
Air pilot Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering Technician Technician Industrial Designer
Navigation Officer Quality Control Inspector
Supervisor, Motor Transport Ground Transit Operator
University Training:
Aerospace Engineer Automotive Engineer
Industrial Designer Urban Planner
Workplace Training:
Aircraft Assembler Airport Ramp Attendant
Automobile Salesperson Boat Assembler and Inspector
Boat Operator Bus, Subway Operator
Delivery Equipment Operator Rail Track Maintenance Worker
Service Station Attendant Tire Repairer
Benefits of SHSM:
Special “Red Seal” Diploma
A ‘leg-up” on other job/program applicants
Possible apprenticeship hours (OYAP)