Specialty High Skills Major (SHSM)

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a Ministry of Education approved program that allows students to focus their learning on a sector specific skills, while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma (OSSD).

The SHSM program provides students with career-related learning that helps students focus on an economic sector. The SHSM program also help students transition from high school to:

• apprenticeship training; or
• college; or
• university; or the
• workforce.

What is required for a SHSM?

Every SHSM must include the following components, which are outlined in detail in individual guides for each sector:

• a bundle of 8 to 10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits related to a specific industry sector;
• compulsory sector-recognized certification and training such as CPR, Standard First Aid and WHMIS;
• experiential learning and career exploration activities;
• 2 Cooperative Education credits;
• reach ahead opportunities that focus on sector-related post-secondary school destinations; and
• essential skills and work habits.

Advantages of a SHSM

Pursuing a SHSM allows students to:

• discover the relationship between education and an economic sector;
• customize their secondary school education to suit specific interests and talents;
• develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary educational institutions;
• earn credits that are recognized by the sector and post-secondary educational institutions;
• gain sector-specific, industry-recognized and career-relevant certifications and training;
• develop essential skills and work habits that are valued by the sector and recorded using the tools in the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP);
• identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their post-secondary pathway;
• gain confidence in their ability to succeed;
• network with post-secondary institutions, local industries and businesses; and
• open doors for summer jobs and future employment opportunities.

How is a SHSM recognized?

Students who successfully complete a SHSM receive:

• an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with an embossed red seal indicating "Specialist High Skills Major";
• a SHSM Record Card documenting his/her achievement; and
• formal recognition on his/her Ontario Student Transcript.

Applying for a SHSM

Please contact your Guidance Department for more information about the SHSM programs in your high schools.

SHSM programs available

The table below highlights the SHSM programs available at each high school.