Specialist High Skills Major

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. It also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. These programs help to meet the needs, interests and strengths of all students, engaging them in learning and better preparing them for graduation and beyond.

Students complete the following five required components:

A specified number of high school credits (including a cooperative education placement)
Specified sector-recognized certifications and training (e.g., First Aid & CPR)
Experiential learning and career exploration activities
Reach-ahead experiences
Sector-partnered contextualized experience (SPE)

Students who successfully complete an SHSM will receive a high school diploma with a "specialist" designation. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) will include an embossed red seal, along with formal recognition on the Ontario Student Transcript (OST). This recognition lets employers and post-secondary institutions know that the student has knowledge, skills, and industry-recognized qualifications in a particular sector.

The London District Catholic School Board offers a variety of different SHSM sectors with programs in each of our nine secondary schools:

SHSM Specialities by School

School	SHSM Sectors Offered
Catholic Central (CCH)	Arts & Culture Environment Health and Wellness Hospitality and Tourism Non Profit Sports
Holy Cross (HCC)	Agriculture Arts and Culture Construction Non Profit Sports
John Paul II (JPII)	Arts and Culture Hospitality and Tourism Information and Communications Technology Non-Profit Sports Transportation
Mother Teresa (MTS)	Arts and Culture Construction Health and Wellness Information and Communications Technology Non Profit
Regina Mundi (RMC)	Arts & Culture Construction Health and Wellness (Fitness focus) Sports Transportation Technology
St. Andre Bessette (SAB)	Arts and Culture Business Construction Information and Communications Technology Justice, Communication and Emergency Services Sports Transportation
St. Joseph's	Agriculture (Horticulture and Green Industries) Business Arts and Culture (Drama and Music) Construction Hospitality and Tourism Health and Wellness (Health Care Focus) Sports
St. Mary's SS	Arts and Culture Construction Information and Communication Technology Hospitality and Tourism Manufacturing Non-Profit Sports
St. Thomas Aquinas (STA)	Arts and Culture Construction Health and Wellness Sports Information and Communication Technology Non Profit
Regional Programs *These are program sectors that can be accessed by students in the LDCSB in all of the nine secondary schools	Aviation

SHSM by Specialty

Agriculture

The SHSM in Agriculture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. This SHSM is designed to have a particular focus, which is on agricultural equipment and transportation. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2014)

For more information about our Agriculture program click here.

Offered at Holy Cross and St. Joseph's

Arts and Culture

The SHSM in Arts and Culture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Each London District Catholic School that has an Arts and Culture SHSM offers a unique focus. According to the Canada Council for the Arts, arts and culture are essential elements in the new global economy- not only for their entertainment value but also for the skills they develop in individuals. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Arts and Culture program click here.

Offered at all LDCSB secondary schools

Aviation

The SHSM in Aviation and Aerospace enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or entry-level position in the workplace. The ever-changing nature of aviation and aerospace, the complexity of supply chain dynamics, and the accelerated pace of change in the aerospace sector provide ample career opportunities for Ontario students. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more information about our Aviation program click here.

Information about the Aviation SHSM can be found on the John Paul II website. However, this program is available as a regional SHSM program to students in all LDCSB secondary schools.

Business

SHSM - Business enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, retail, marketing, international business, economics, management and administration, or event planning. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Offered at St. Andre Bessette and St. Joseph's

Construction

The SHSM–Construction enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.

For more information please visit the ministry site by clicking here.

Offered at St. Thomas Aquinas, Mother Teresa, Holy Cross, St. Joseph's, Regina Mundi, St. Mary's and St. Andre Bessette

Environment

The SHSM in Environment enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Employment in the environment sector has boomed in recent years, and, according to industry experts, existing labour shortages in this sector are expected to increase as regulations to meet Canada’s goals regarding climate change come into effect. The scope of the environment industry is very broad and is a component, to varying degrees, of every industry in Canada. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Environment program click here.

Offered at Catholic Central

Health and Wellness

The SHSM in Health and Wellness enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Each of our LDCSB schools that offer an SHSM in Health and Wellness have a unique focus. Kinesiologist, child care worker, audiologist, fitness instructor, doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, youth care worker, hospital porter, and medical technician are just some of the numerous and varied occupations in the health and wellness sector. This sector not only has a wide variety of careers, but also is significant for the number of workers it employs. The demand for health and wellness professionals will only increase as our population ages and the demands on the health care sector rise. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Health and Wellness program click here.

Offered at, Catholic Central, Mother Teresa, Regina Mundi, St. Joseph's and St. Thomas Aquinas

Hospitality and Tourism

The SHSM in Hospitality and Tourism enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. The tourism industry presents many advantages for employees because it offers a selection of well over 400 occupations. Tourism jobs also tend to provide plenty of opportunities for advancement, widely transferable skills, and ongoing training. Between now and 2025, spending on tourism goods and services in Canada is expected to grow to $201 billion, and it is estimated that 219,000 tourism jobs will go unfilled due in part to declining birth rates and an aging workforce. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Hospitality and Tourism program click here.

Offered at Catholic Central, John Paul II, St. Joseph's and St. Mary's

Information and Communication Technology

The SHSM in ICT enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Each of the LDCSB schools offering an ICT SHSM have a unique focus. The ICT sector continues to transform our economy and everyday life. Core industries in this sector include: communications systems, computer systems, and software and digital media. Students enrolled in the ICT SHSM will be involved in today’s rapid and exciting changes in technology and will contribute to new and emerging media and technologies in the years to come. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our ICT program click here.

Offered at John Pail II, Mother Teresa, Regina Mundi, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Andre Bessette

Justice and Emergency Services

The SHSM in Justice, Emergency and Community Safety enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. This sector includes areas such as emergency services, emergency management, community safety administration, correctional services, and the armed forces. With its low rates of unemployment and high future retirement rates, this sector offers excellent prospects for employment. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Justice, Emergency and Community Safety program click here.

Offered at St. Andre Bessette

Manufacturing

The SHSM in Manufacturing enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Each of our LDCSB schools that offer a Manufacturing SHSM have a unique focus. In Ontario, the manufacturing sector still accounts for the greatest number of jobs with its production of consumer and industrial goods that are essential for the province’s prosperity. The manufacturing industry is committed to addressing skills development, labour market, and human resource issues across the various sectors within Canadian manufacturing. This will provide new employment opportunities for students choosing to pursue a career in this sector.

For more detailed information about our Manufacturing program click here.

Offered at St. Mary's

Non-Profit

The SHSM in Non Profit enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. The non-profit sector offers a range of careers that are dynamic, engaging, and rewarding. Countless career paths are available for people who share in the sector’s common vision: to make a difference. The sector’s employers include some 69,000 non-profit organizations nationwide. They are active in a variety of areas: recreation, health and social services, religion, development and housing, arts and culture, sports and recreation, the environment, education and research, fundraising, and law, advocacy, and politics- both in Canada and internationally. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Non Profit program click here.

Offered at Catholic Central, Holy Cross, Mother Teresa, St. Mary's, St. Thomas Aquinas and John Paul II

Sports

The SHSM in Sports enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Canada’s sports industry is growing. Dozens of cities now have professional sports teams and franchises. In Ontario, there are over 25 professional teams in sports ranging from hockey to lacrosse to soccer. The Canadian sports sector generates around $8 billion a year, according to the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Resources and Skills Development Canada states that there is a significant scope for new job seekers in recreation and sport. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Sports program click here.

Offered at all LDCSB secondary schools except Mother Teresa

Transportation

The SHSM in Transportation enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Transportation affects our lives in a multitude of ways. We drive cars for everyday purposes, use mass transit to commute to work, and take flights and cruises on holidays. Transportation systems move raw materials to manufacturers and finished products to consumers- locally, nationally, and globally. The transportation employment sector has grown steadily over the years, reflecting a high demand for qualified personnel. (MOE, SHSM Policy Document, 2010)

For more detailed information about our Transportation program click here.

Offered at John Paul II, Regina Mundi and St. Andre Bessette