Specialized hands-on learning has great educational value and has become evident through Halton District School Board’s popular and ever-growing Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program.

The Ontario Ministry of Education-approved SHSM enables students to customize their high school experience to suit their interests and talents. It also prepares students for a successful post-secondary transition to apprenticeship training, college, university or employment while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Having started the SHSM program four years ago, the Board originally offered two courses. This year, there are 32 SHSMs, up 13 from last year. And in 2011-2012, the Board expects to offer a total of 44 SHSMs – further proof students like how the program engages their learning.

There are SHSMs in 12 categories, from arts and culture to energy, manufacturing and horticulture and landscaping.

Specifically, these programs let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interest related to a sector of our economy. Each SHSM – part of the Board’s Pathways career planning initiative – is a bundle of 8-10 courses in Grades 11 and 12 within a selected field or sector. Students must apply to be accepted into a SHSM program, but when they are accpted, they learn on the job with employers as well in school, earning valuable business and industry certification and awareness related to their sector. This makes the learning environment more engaging for students, focuses them on graduation and prepares them to pursue their career goals.

The Board anticipates 20-25 per cent of its Grade 11 and 12 students could be enrolled in a SHSM program in the next two or three years.

Many students have applied to be accepted into a SHSM. They recognize the invaluable learning they gain from these programs by understanding what a potential career might entail. It also helps them learn if the SHSM in which they are enrolled is, in fact, the kind of career they will want to pursue later in life.

Below you will find links to two profiles of Board students who find they are benefitting from their participation in a SHSM program:

CLICK HERE FOR DEBBIE APPIAH, HEALTH AND WELLNESS SHSM AT ROBERT BATEMAN HIGH SCHOOL 
CLICK HERE FOR DYLAN AULD, ENVIRONMENT SHSM AT GEORGETOWN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL

SHSM Highlights:

● Earn sector-recognized certifications to assist in successful transition and possible advanced standing in the workplace and post secondary destinations
● Earn additional certifications such as First Aid, CPR and WHMIS safety training
● Engage in experiential learning through job shadowing, work experience, and cooperative education – a minimum of two credits linked to a course in the SHSM package 
● Engage in ‘reach ahead’ experiences ranging designed to explore and plan the next step after high school
● SHSM programs are designed to provide equal opportunities for all students to support their transition to an apprenticeship, college, university or the workplace destination

To learn more about the SHSM program, click here.