Construction 

These credits make up the bundle:

• four construction major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills.  The four courses can be any combination of Grade 11 or 12 credits (including all four credits in Grade 11 or all four credits in Grade 12).  This may include up to three cooperative education credits related to the sector to count as the major credits (in addition to the two required cooperative education credits in the bundle).

• four other required credits from the Ontario curriculum. Schools may commit to including a contextualized learning activity (CLA) for the construction sector in each of the four credits. In each credit, some of the course expectations are then met through the CLA. (Schools that do not formally commit to including CLAs are still free to offer them in one or more of the credits.)

For the apprenticeship training, college, and university pathways, the four credits include:

• one in English;1

• two in mathematics (one credit must be in Grade 12); and

• one in science or business studies (or a cooperative education credit related to the sector, which would be additional to the two cooperative education credits required in the bundle; see below); *note: allow an additional major credit to replace the science or business studies credit, see below; 

For the workplace pathway, the four credits include:

• two in English (one credit must be in Grade 12);1

  • • one in mathematics; and

    • one in science or business studies (or a cooperative education credit related to the sector, which would be additional to the two cooperative education credits required in the bundle; see below); *note: allow an additional major credit to replace the science or business studies credit, see below; 

• Two cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, apply, and practise knowledge and skills outlined in the cooperative education curriculum as well as sector-specific knowledge and skills.

Experiential learning and career exploration opportunities relevant to the sector might include the following:

• one-on-one observation of a cooperative education student at a placement in the construction sector (an example of job twinning)

• a day-long observation of a skilled tradesperson in the construction sector (an example of job shadowing)

• a one- or two-week work experience with an individual employed in the construction sector (an example of work experience)

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

• a tour of a municipal planning department

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

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

For more information on Experiential Learning at YCDSB visit: https://ycdsb.link/elycdsb

Students are provided one or more reach ahead experiences – 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 sector

• College: interviewing a college student enrolled in a sector-specific program

• University: observing a university class in a sector-related program

• Workplace: interviewing an employee in the sector

All students pursuing an SHSM must complete at least one sector-partnered experience (SPE). SPEs are learning experiences tied to a student's chosen SHSM sector, developed and delivered by sector partners in tandem with teachers. All SPEs focus on one of the following:

• innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship (ICE) 

• coding

• mathematical literacy

The concepts of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship (ICE) are inextricably linked. Innovation is the generation and realization of a new idea in the world; this means that innovation contains within it elements of both creativity and entrepreneurship. Creativity comes into play in the generation of ideas to meet a need in the world, based on a fundamental belief that there is more than one right answer to a given problem. Entrepreneurship is the set of activities aimed at building, scaling and sustaining the new ideas into an organization, whether extending an existing organization or creating a new one.

ICE, coding (computer programming), and mathematical literacy are all areas of knowledge that are key to a wide variety of 21st century careers. An SPE is designed to support students in cultivating the mindset that is needed for success in any of these areas of focus – a mindset that includes proposing ideas and solutions, taking smart risks in a safe environment, studying the results, and applying critical thinking.