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Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

What is SHSM?

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is a specialized program for Grade 11 and 12 students that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school.

These programs enable students to gain sector specific skills and knowledge in engaging, career-related learning environments, and prepare in a focused way for graduation and post-secondary education, training or employment.

SHSM offerings vary by school. Students in Grade 10 or above can indicate their interest in a Pathways program in myBlueprint and are encouraged to speak to their Guidance Counsellor about available SHSM. 

 

Burlington Central offers a broad selection of SHSM programs to their students, including:

a group of students in drama class.

Program overview

The arts and culture sector offers opportunities for students to get inspired and use their unique skills and abilities to explore visual arts, drama and performance, music, entertainment technology, media arts, design, dance, arts and technology and many other creative areas. Students who are interested in exploring their options related to arts can take the Specialist High Skills Major program to engage in authentic learning and experiences that will be an asset for a future in the arts.

Experiential learning opportunities 

  • Learn a variety of performance styles
  • Participate in workshops with industry professionals
  • Develop studio skills in a variety of traditional and emerging media
  • Incorporate digital technologies into the creative process
  • Develop transferable skills compatible with multiple pathways to all postsecondary destinations

Related careers

  • Actor, Comedian or Dancer
  • Animator, Graphic Artist, Designer, Illustrator or Technician
  • Announcer, Broadcasters or Broadcast Technician
  • Musician, Singer or Video Recording Technician
  • Painters, Sculptors, and Other Visual Artists
  • Producer, Director, Choreographer and Related Occupations
  • Professional Occupations in Public Relations and Communications
  • Theatre, Fashion, Exhibit, and Other
  • Creative Designers 

Certifications and training

  • CPR Level C / AED Training, Standard First Aid / WHMIS
  • Working at Heights
  • Technical Staging
  • Audition Preparation
  • Make up & Cosmetology
  • Recording Equipment
  • Choreography in Dance
  • Stage Combat

Credits

Course package

Each SHSM program offers students a bundle of 8 - 10 credits. These courses are regular Ontario secondary school courses that allow students to work towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but have been bundled as the most relevant courses to prepare students for a future in the arts and culture sector

The bundle includes:

  • 4 “major” credits related to arts and culture in grade 11 and 12
  • Supporting credits, which include Contextualized Learning Activities (opportunities for students to learn the subject in the context of the construction sector):
    > 1 Grade 12 English credit
    > 1 Grade 11 Math credit
    > 1 Grade 11 or 12 Business Studies or Canadian and World Studies
    > 2 Cooperative Education credits to experience life in the arts and culture sector

Contact

Matt Baxter at baxterma@hdsb.ca 

 

 

a student wearing a yellow hard hat, yellow protective gloves and safety goggles carrying lumber over their shoulder.

Program overview

This Construction SHSM program at BCHS is designed to support all students interested in learning more about careers related to the construction industry. The construction industry is very diverse and offers the opportunity to participate in all sorts of projects. Whether your interest is in design, equipment operation, project management, hands on construction or finish work this program will provide insight into future opportunities and a chance to develop skills and earn sector related certifications. At Burlington Central High School students have the opportunity to focus their SHSM training related to cabinetmaking, construction or architecture / design.

Experiential learning opportunities

  • Trips to various organizations such as construction or heavy equipment
  • Presentations related to different careers within the sector such as  architect, cabinet maker or framer
  • Complete 2 Cooperative Education credits
  • Design and develop construction projects
  • Participate in a Skills Canada competition

Related careers

  • Architect
  • Bricklayer / Stonemason
  • Building Inspector
  • Carpenter/Cabinetmaker
  • Construction Worker
  • Civil Engineer / Technician / Technologist
  • Contractor & Supervisor
  • Interior Designer
  • Landscape Designer
  • Mechanical Engineer
  • Residential Home Builder or Renovator

Certification and training

  • CPR Level C / AED Training & Standard First Aid and WHMIS
  • Basic Health & Safety
  • Portfolio Development
  • Working at Heights
  • Lock Out / Tag Out Safety
  • Customer Service
  • CAD / CAM Certification
  • Chainsaw Safety
  • Fall Protection

Credits

Course package

Each SHSM program offers students a bundle of 8 - 10 credits. These courses are regular Ontario secondary school courses that allow students to work towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but have been bundled as the most relevant courses to prepare students for a future in the construction sector.

The bundle includes:

  • 4 “major” credits related to construction in grade 11 and 12
  • Supporting credits, which include Contextualized Learning Activities (opportunities for students to learn the subject in the context of the construction sector):
    > 1 Grade 12 English credit
    > 1 Grade 11 Math credit
    > 1 Grade 11 or 12 Business Studies or Science credit
    > 2 Cooperative Education credits to experience life in the construction sector

 

Contact

Kyle Charlebois at charleboisk@hdsb.ca 

a girl working in a workshop wearing protective gear.

Program overview

The manufacturing sector, with its production of consumer and industrial goods, accounts for the greatest number of jobs in Ontario. Automobiles, petroleum, electricity, iron and steel mills, and primary and fabricated metal products are all aspects of the manufacturing sector. Ontario’s manufacturing industry generates $270 billion in annual sales and accounts for 18% of the province’s GDP, employing over 12% of Ontario’s total workforce. The SHSM in manufacturing provides students with a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers in the manufacturing sector. The different components of the program will provide students the opportunity to gain qualifications, develop transferable and trade specific skills, and learn about various options in this large employment sector. Burlington Central Secondary School offers the manufacturing program with a focus on computer programming.

Experiential learning opportunities

  • Trips to various organizations such as manufacturing facilities or welding fabricators
  • Presentations related to different careers within the sector
  • Complete 2 Cooperative Education credits
  • Design and develop a construction project
  • Fabricate a variety of structures
  • Tour of a range of manufacturing enterprises
  • Participate in Skills Canada competition

Related careers

  • Instrumentation and Controls Technician
  • Machinist
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Metal Fabricator
  • Millwright (Industrial Mechanic)
  • Production Worker
  • Quality Process Engineer
  • Robotics Engineer
  • Welder

Certification and training

  • CPR Level C / AED Training & Standard First Aid
  • WHMIS
  • Canadian Welding Bureau (flat)
  • CAD / CAM
  • Fire Safety & Fire Extinguisher Use
  • Health & Safety (basic)
  • Hoisting & Rigging
  • Leadership Skills
  • Working at Heights

Credits

Course package

Each SHSM program offers students a bundle of 8 - 10 credits. These courses are regular Ontario secondary school courses that allow students to work towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but have been bundled as the most relevant courses to prepare students for a future in the manufacturing sector. 

The bundle includes:

  • 4 “major” credits in health and wellness in grade 11 and 12; 2 Credits Co-operative Education (internship in a leadership setting), 
  • Supporting credits, which include Contextualized Learning Activities (opportunities for students to learn the subject in the context of the manufacturing sector):
    > 1/2 Grade 12 English credit
    > 1 Grade 11 Math credit
    > 1 Grade 11 or 12 Science credit depending on pathway
    > 2 Cooperative Education credits to experience life in the manufacturing sector

Contact

Myles Filkin atfilkinmy@hdsb.ca or Shawn Clement at clements@hdsb.ca 

 

 

Arts & Culture SHSM consent form Construction SHSM consent form Manufacturing SHSM consent form

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