Skip to main content
151 Dairy Avenue, Napanee, ON, K7R 4B2| Office: 613-354-2255| Toll free: 1-800-581-1116 |Career Opportunities Staff Links

​​​​​​​​​​​​Specialist ​High Skills Major

What is SHSM?
The SHSM program is a ministry-approved program that allows grade 11 and 12 students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from high school. A SHSM program gives students the opportunity to specialize their learning, gain qualifications, and explore a career pathway while still in high school. β€‹
​
Who is SHSM for?​​
SHSM is for students who want real world experience, a better sense of the type of work they want to do, and an understanding of where a career in their chosen sector can take them. It helps students transition after graduation to their next step, whether that be apprenticeship, college, university, or workplace training. 

Why join SHSM?
​​​​​​SHSM students get to  
  • ​experience a range of customized learning opportunities in an area that interests them;
  • discover the connections between school today, the world beyond it, and their future careers;
  • develop knowledge and skills and establish relationships through workplace experience in their field;
  • earn valuable industry certifications, including First Aid and CPR qualifications, at no cost;  
  • remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways or withdraw from the program, without any impact on their prospects for graduation.  β€‹

How does it work? β€‹
Students take a bundle of courses in grades 11 and 12, including four major courses and two credits of coop related to their sector. Students also participate in several industry-recognized certification and/or training courses, career exploration activities with employers, and reach ahead experiences at colleges, universities, and training facilities. β€‹

​Explore our programs

Explore our programs​