SHSM

Specialist High Skills Majors


Courses focused towards a career



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 are they for?


Grade 11 and 12 students who are:

  • heading for apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace
  • wanting to identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed choices about their next steps after secondary school.



How can they help?


Students have the opportunity 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.



For more information regarding SHSM, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Education

‍Sudbury Secondary School’s Arts and Culture SHSM



‍The SHSM–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.


‍Sudbury Secondary School's SHSM-Arts & Culture program is designed with a specific focus on the arts, encompassing dance, theatre arts, instrumental & vocal music, visual art and media. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle as well as discipline specific certifications. Students also receive their First Aid & CPR training as well as WHMIS.


‍Students will also receive opportunities to explore the arts through a reach ahead and experiential learning opportunity.


  • SHSM requirements (.pdf)
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‍Sudbury Secondary School’s Health and Wellness SHSM



‍Sudbury Secondary is one of four RDSB schools to offer the Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major program.


‍This Ministry of Education based program allows Grade 11 and 12 students to focus on building skills in the health care industry based on courses they take as well as sector specific opportunities provided in the community including career exploration, training, and post secondary visits. Students who are successful in this program receive a red seal on their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).


‍In addition to selecting courses applicable to this program and their OSSD, students also receive sector-based certifications. For the Health and Wellness SHSM, this includes the mandatory certifications: Standard First Aid and Level C CPR, WHMIS, and Infection Control.


‍Students will also receive at least three elective certifications, including personal fitness, leadership skills, ethics, and customer service. This allows students to expand their interests and explore career options they may want to pursue after high school. Graduates who complete this program set themselves ahead as they move forward after high school to the workforce, apprenticeships or post-secondary education.


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‍Sudbury Secondary School’s Construction SHSM



‍Sudbury Secondary School is honoured to offer a new Construction SHSM, a Specialist High Skills Major in Construction. Majoring in construction will give students the opportunity to personalize their secondary education based on interests and skills. Sudbury Secondary School’s Construction SHSM will focus on custom woodworking, construction technology, carpentry and movie/stage set construction. With this exciting new SHSM, there will also be an emphasis on the design of small and large projects using cutting-edge, software, technology, tools and equipment.


‍Students will not be required to earn any additional credits. Instead, they will focus on construction-related courses to build specialized knowledge and skills as well as the confidence to be flexible in choosing or shifting between their pathways including University, College, and Apprenticeships that include over 35 Red Seal trades and the numerous and rewarding workforce pathways into the skilled trades.


‍Students will acquire 5 compulsory and 2 elective sector-specific and career-relevant certifications and training. Participants will be required to acquire sector-specific Cooperative education credits to get a feel for the industry. They will engage in Reach Ahead activities and be given the opportunity to take part in Sector Specific Partnered Experiences in Math, Coding or ICE.


‍There will also be other various experiential learning opportunities all at no additional cost to the learners. These fortunate learners will also be in a unique position for OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) opportunities allowing them to earn apprenticeship experience as they learn and Dual Credit which allows students to earn college credits while earning high school credits. With all this completed successfully, students will receive a Seal on their diploma that is recognized in the industry as well as by accredited post-secondary institutions. 




‍“Fortunate is the one who has a Seal”

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‍Sustainable Living & Culinary Arts


‍The Sustainable Living and Culinary Arts SHSM provides students in grades 11 and 12 the opportunity to explore the wonderful world of Hospitality and Tourism as they work towards earning their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).  


‍During this program students will receive sector specific training, as well as certifications in Standard First Aid and Level C CPR, WHMIS, and Customer Service. Students must also participate in a sector based co-op program, which further allows them to gain expertise in this ever changing and exciting field.


‍Not only does this SHSM allow students to receive a red seal on their diploma upon graduation, but it provides them with the opportunity to work and learn from some of Sudbury's leading entrepreneurs in the field of hospitality and tourism.


‍Please contact Ms. Doiron for any questions related to this program. 

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‍154 College Street, Sudbury ON P3C 4Y2 • PH: (705) 674-7551 FX: (705) 674-5383


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