The Specialist High Skill Major (SHSM) program allows students in Grade 11 and 12 to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while earning credits towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Advantages of SHSM:
Students will gain valuable skills from their co-op placements, training certifications, and through experiential learning field trips
There is NO COST for students to participate in this program
Students get a red embossed SHSM seal on their OSSD and special recognition at graduation
Post-Secondary Scholarships available for SHSM graduates who attend St. Clair College ($1500) or University of Windsor ($1000) *a minimum of 75% graduation average required
Please contact your Secondary School guidance department to find out how to register today!
Explore the Sectors below:
Which SHSM SECTOR are you choosing? The choice that can define your future.
Arts and Culture
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Painter
Decorator
Conservator or curator
Graphic artist
Illustrator
Animator and other visual artists
Announcer and other broadcasters
Film or video camera operator
Designers: clothing, interior homes
Public relations and communications
Theatre, fashion, exhibit designers
Weaver and other fabric-making occupations
Performers: actor, comedian, dancer, musician
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Arts and Culture Major Credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Customer service
Health and safety (basic)
Audition preparation
Training in an art form (tap dance, improvisation) or technique (figure drawing, conducting)
Stage combat
Software (animation, graphic arts, photography)
Aviation and Aerospace
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand aviation and aerospace careers including:
Air pilot, flight engineer, and flying instructors
Air traffic controllers and related occupations
Aircraft instrument, electrical, and avionics mechanics, technicians, and inspectors
Electronic service technicians
Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians
Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
Aerospace engineers
Electrical and electronics engineers
Industrial and manufacturing engineers
Mechanical engineers
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Aviation and Aerospace major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
Customer service
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Basic Electrical Safety
Working at Heights
Elevated work platforms
Fire safety and fire extinguisher use
Business
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four business major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
Customer service
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Counterfeit detection
Health and safety
Fraud prevention
Management and leadership
Software
Construction
Here are some Construction SHSM Students Participating in an SHSM Math Sector Partnered Experience (SPE) with Local 494 at with the GECDSB Enhanced Construction Program:
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Architect
Brick and stone mason
Carpenter
Electrician
Home renovator
Interior designer
Plumber
Heating and air conditioning contractor
Residential home builder
Roofer
Engineer - electrical, mechanical, structural
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Construction major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR-Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Fall protection
Health and safety
Elevated work platforms
Lift truck safety
Scaffold safety
Environment
SHSM Environment Students at Point Pelee SHSM Conference earning all of their required certifications:
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Arborist
Landscape architects
Urban and land use planners
Silviculture and forestry workers
Climatologist or meteorologist
Conservation or fishery officer
Outdoor sport and recreation guide
Technician - pollution control, soil testing
Biological technologist or technician
Landscaping and grounds maintenance workers
Geological engineer, geologist or geochemist
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Environment major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Species identification
Paddling techniques
Map and compass use
Health and Wellness
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Optometrist
Paramedic
Fitness instructor
Funeral director
Dietician or nutritionist
Dental hygienist/assistant
Hairstylist or esthetician
Family, marriage or other counsellor
Hospital admitting clerk or medical secretary
Child and youth worker or social service worker
Registered nurse or nurse practitioner or physician
Recreation program leader
Registered masseuse
Sports therapist
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Health and Wellness major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR-Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Infection Control
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Ethical considerations
Customer service
Leadership
Conflict resolution
Non-violent crisis intervention
Hospitality and Tourism
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Baker, chef, cook
Flight attendant
Hotel or resort manager
Dietician or nutritionist
Executive housekeeper
Food and beverage server
Sales representative - wine, food
Special events coordinator
Travel counsellor or reservation agent
Public relations and communications spokesperson
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Hospitality and Tourism major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Customer service
Safe food handling
Events coordinator
Smart serve
Cook/line cook
Information and Communication Technology
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Computer engineer
Computer programmer
Technical sales specialist
Computer network technician
Information systems analyst
Audio and video recording technician
Graphic designer, illustrator, animator
Residential and commercial installer
Software engineer and designer
Electrical and electronics engineering technologist
Telecommunications line and cable worker
Web designer and developer
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four ICT major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Customer service
Digital lighting
Internet security
Counterfeit detection
Recording equipment
Computer hardware
Justice, Emergency Services and Community Safety
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Air traffic controller
Animal control officer
Bodyguard or security manager
Border services officer
Court clerk
Police officer or correctional officer
Firefighter
Lawyer or paralegal
Private investigator
Soldier or military officer
911 dispatcher
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Justice, Community Safety and Emergency major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C+ AED
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Conflict resolution
Emergency response techniques
Leadership
Legal terminology
Lifesaving
Safe weapon handling
Manufacturing
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Electrician
Mould Maker
Tool and Die Maker
Inventory Clerk
Engineer - Chemical
Millwright-Industrial
Motor Vehicle Assembler
Precision Machinist and Metal Fabricator
Technical Sales Specialist
Engineer: Electrical, Mechanical, Production
Manufacturing Technician/Technologist
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Manufacturing major credits
Two Co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Elevated work platforms
Hoisting and rigging
Lift truck safety
Safe lifting
Fall protection
Non-profit
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Administrative officer
Fundraising consultant
Rural development officer
Social services planner/researcher
Community social development officer
Conference event planner or festival organizer
Business or office manager - non-profit organization
Social policy researcher consultant and program officer
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Non-Profit major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C+ AED
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Customer service
Event coordination
Ethical considerations
Management and leadership
Proposal and grant writing
Transportation
Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:
Air Pilot
Industrial Designer
Automobile Salesperson
Heavy Equipment Operators
Delivery and Courier Service Drivers
Aircraft Assembler and Assembly Inspector
Auto Body Repairer and Automotive Painter
Bus Driver, Subway and Other Transit Operators
Engineer- Aerospace, Automotive, Mechanical
Mechanic - Marine Engine, Small Engine, Track and Transport
Quality Control Assembly Inspector - Automotive, Marine
Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:
Four Transportation major credits
Two co-op credits in the sector
Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:
CPR - Level C
WHMIS
Standard first aid
Customer service
Lift truck safety
Fall protection
Vehicle lift safety
Health and safety
Co-op Education
Learn about the co-op opportunities we offer secondary students to support their educational pathway. Find out how to apply and the benefits we offer to employees.
Students have an opportunity to become a registered apprentice and work towards becoming a certified journeyperson in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diploma.
Dual Credit programs allow students to take courses at St. Clair College that count toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a post-secondary program.
View the wide variety of technology courses that GECDSB provides to secondary students. Learn how these courses can help students gain valuable skillsets that support many educational pathways.
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