JHSS offers SPORTS and ARTS AND CULTURE SHSM!

What is a Specialist High Skills Major?

There is lots of information below but if you have questions about this program, please contact your guidance counsellor.

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What are they?

Specialist High Skills Majors let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students receive the SHSM seal on their diploma when they:

  • complete a specific bundle of 8-10 courses in the student’s selected field
  • earn valuable industry certifications including first aid and CPR qualifications
  • gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements.

Who is it for?

Grade 11 and 12 students who:

  • Are planning a pathway to an apprenticeship, college, university, or into the workplace.
  • Want to identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed choices about their next steps after secondary school.

Pursuing an SHSM enables students to:

  • gain important skills on the job with actual employers, at skills training centres, and at school
  • earn valuable industry certifications, including first aid and CPR qualifications.

Students who successfully complete an SHSM receive:

  • an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with an embossed red seal
  • an SHSM Record documenting his/her achievement
  • formal recognition on his/her Ontario Student Transcript

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Promo Video Details and Components

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SHSM Arts and Culture

Get a jump-start on your career

A Specialist High Skills Major allows you to focus on a career area that interests you while you earn your high school diploma. No matter what education you plan to pursue after high school—apprenticeship, college, university or workplace training—an arts and culture major can help you focus on a future career.

A Specialist High Skills Major in arts and culture offers:

  • high school courses in grades 11 and 12 tailored to the career you want to pursue
  • the chance to work with industry leaders and experience cutting-edge training in arts and culture
  • experience working in the sector you’re interested in, while you’re still in high school
  • the opportunity to use the Ontario Skills Passport to develop skills and work habits that are required in the arts and culture sector
  • recognition on your high school diploma

The arts and culture major includes the following components:

  1. In the arts and culture major, you will take 8 credits in grades 11 and 12:
    • four arts and culture major credits
    • two other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in English and a choice of business studies or Canadian and world studies
    • two co-operative education credits to gain workplace experience that helps you refine, extend and practice your arts and culture knowledge and skills
  2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs 
  3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector
  4. Reach ahead experiences connected with the student’s postsecondary plans
  5. Completion of a Sector-Partnered Contextualized Experience

Sector-recognized certification and training

As part of the arts and culture major, you will earn seven certifications, including the following three that are compulsory:

  • standard first aid
  • CPR, level A
  • hazardous materials – Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS)

Future career paths for arts and culture majors

For arts and culture majors, possible careers include:

  • apprenticeship – entertainment industry power technician, gem setter/goldsmith, clothing and crafts artisan, painter and decorator, patternmaker
  • college – actor, comedian, animator—graphic design and illustration, announcer, apparel production supervisor, artisan or craftsperson, broadcast technician, film or video camera operator, graphic arts technician, interior designer, photographer, fashion designer, video recording technician
  • university – author, writer, conductor, composer, conservator, curator, dancer, painter, sculptor, producer, director, choreographer, public relations, communications
  • entry level workplace – camera operations, plate making, desktop publishing operator, graphic artist or illustrator, musician, singer, photographic film processor, sign maker, textile colourist, weaver, knitter.

SHSM Sport

Get a jump-start on your career

A Specialist High Skills Major allows you to focus on a career area that interests you while you earn your high school diploma. If you want to build your career in Canada’s growing sports industry, then the sports major will appeal to you. No matter what education you plan to pursue after high school – apprenticeship, college, university or workplace training – a sports major can help you focus on a future career

A Specialist High Skills Major in Sports offers:

  • high school courses in Grade 11 and 12 tailored to the career you want to pursue
  • the chance to work with industry leaders and experience cutting-edge training in sports
  • experience working in the sector you’re interested in, while you’re still in high school
  • recognition on your high school diploma

The sports major includes the following five components:

  1. A bundle of nine Grade 11 or 12 credits that comprises:
    • four sports major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
    • three other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in English, mathematics, and a choice of business students, science or social sciences and humanities
    • two co-operative education credits tied to the sector
  2. Seven sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs (four compulsory and a choice of three electives)
  3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector
  4. Reach ahead experiences connected with the student’s post-secondary plans
  5. Completion of a Sector-Partner Experience (SPE)

Sector-recognized certification and training

As part of the sport’s major, you will earn seven certifications, including the following four which are compulsory:

  • standard first aid
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C
  • Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
  • generic instruction about the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Future career paths for arts and culture majors

For sports majors, possible careers include:

  • apprenticeship – special events coordinator
  • college – arena manager, broadcasting sports director, broadcast technician, film or video camera operator, recreation facility manager
  • university – athletic therapist, health and physical education teacher, kinesiologist
  • entry level workplace – athlete, coach, fitness/sports instructor

For further information or if you have questions about this program, please contact your guidance counsellor.

Login to your WRDSB account and complete this google form to indicate your interest.