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What is an SHSM?
A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) allows you to customize high school to fit with your career interests.
Choose from any of the seven sectors offered as an SHSM so you can get started on the path to your future career.
- Plan now for credits offered in Grade 11 and 12
- Get your certification/training
- Gain work experience and co-op
- Receive a special diploma seal when you graduate
Click here to view the SHSM Viewbook
What's a Pathway?
A pathway is a combination of courses that lead to graduation and to your post-secondary destination, whether it's apprenticeship, college, university or the workplace.
Finding your pathway and planning your future takes time. What interests you? What career would you like to have in your future? Is an SHSM offered in the field you want to be in?
Find out how you can learn about yourself and explore your options at www.future1234.ca
What Does an SHSM Pathway Look Like?
- A bundle of eight to 10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits that include:
- Four major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
- Two to four other required credits (for example, English and Math), which will incorporate learning done in your career field of choice
- Two co-op credits that provide real workplace experience, enabling you to refine, extend, and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills
What you'll get from an SHSM...
- You can experience a range of customized learning opportunities in an area that interests you
- You have an opportunity to explore, identify, and refine your career goals and make informed decisions related to post-secondary education or training and next steps towards a career
- You gain confidence in your ability to succeed, and see the connections between your studies, the world beyond high school, and your future careers
- You acquire essential skills and work habits that are required in your chosen career focus
- You have evidence of your achievements including sector-recognized certifications and training programs
- You establish relationships and networks in your chosen field
...An SHSM will give you an edge on your career and is the key to unlock your future!
Thank you to our Partners
Specialist High Skills Major programs are available in part due to the generosity of our partners. We are grateful to bring these opportunities to our students. For a list of our partners click here.
Contact
For more information, contact Margot Burnell-Cimba at 905.527.5092 ext. 2250 or email margot.burnell@hwdsb.on.ca
Arts & Culture - Top
Based on the belief that the arts inspire all students, this program allows you to explore your interests through connections with community, industry and institutions. In this program you will:
- Develop artistic skills within a range of talents including visual arts or musical theatre
- Learn how to create an artistic portfolio or be involved in a stage production
- Have opportunities for training and certification
Receive a designation that opens pathways and acknowledges your dedication
Offered at Glendale (Musical Theatre focus), Hill Park (Theatre Production and Visual Arts focus) and Westdale (Visual Arts focus) and Highland
I just did what I usually do. I'm not a kid who usually gets any awards or even had plans to attend college or university. The SHSM has opened a door that I didn't know was available to me. I'm excited for what is coming next. I put together an art portfolio and even presented it at a college. Everything is just falling into place for me.
Alexis Watling, Arts and Culture SHSM graduate
Aviation / Aerospace - Top
Based on partnerships with the Ontario Aerospace Council, John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport and Mohawk College, the Aviation and Aerospace SHSM program lets your dreams take flight! Be a pioneer in the latest Ontario Ministry of Education approved sector. As you “test fly” your career you will:
- Use real components of the industry such as a flight simulator
- Work with industry experts
- Learn in tailored subject-specific courses
- Sample industry certification requirements
Receive a designation that opens pathways and acknowledges your dedication
Offered at Ancaster High
Since I started majoring in Aviation and Aerospace at my school, I've become excited about learning again and have plans for a job in the aviation industry after graduation.
Cody Eckart, Aviation and Aerospace SHSM student
Construction - Top
Based on an award-winning program, Building Careers from the Ground Up, and a pre-apprenticeship carpentry program, you will:
- gain experience in a range of careers and with various trades
- Earn industry-recognized certification and training
- Get a jump start at Mohawk College by earning college courses while in the SHSM program
- Build a house or other project with community partners such as Habitat for Humanity
Offered at Saltfleet District and Westdale
I knew I was interested in construction, but I wasn't sure about how to get there. This program helped me to make a better decision as to what I want to do. I'm doing co-op in general carpentry and going to get signed as an apprentice.
Daniel Salmon, Construction SHSM graduate
Energy - Top
What will students in the energy major study?
- Four energy major credits
- One English credit and other credits tailored to include units focused on energy
- Two cooperative education credits to gain workplace experience that enables students to refine, extend and practise sector-specific knowledge and skills
- Experiential learning, career exploration and reach ahead activities within the sector
- Certifications and training programs/courses in first aid, CPR and electrical safety
What are the future career paths for energy majors?
For energy majors, possible careers include:
- Apprenticeship – power line technician, cable splicer
- College – electrical engineering technologist, power engineer
- University – electrical engineer, telecommunications engineer
- Entry level workplace – energy auditor, building operator
Offered at Sir John A. Macdonald
Environment - Top
What will students in the environment major study?
- Four environment major credits
- Two English credits and one math credit tailored to include units focused on the environment
- Two cooperative education credits to gain workplace experience that enables students to refine, extend and practice sector-specific knowledge and skills
- Experiential learning, career exploration and reach ahead activities within the sector
- Certifications and training programs/courses in first aid, CPR, and global positioning system (GPS)
What are the future career paths for environment majors?
For environment majors, possible careers include:
- Apprenticeship – new opportunities are evolving
- College – conservation and fishery officer, soil testing technologist, soil ecologist
- University – environmental biologist, waste diversion consultant, environmental and occupational toxicologist
- Entry level workplace – outdoor sport and recreation guide, wastewater treatment plant operator, recycled paper handler
Offered at Waterdown
Health & Wellness - Top
Based on an award-winning program preparing students for careers in health care, fitness, as well as child care and family services, you will:
- Earn CPR, standard first aid, fitness training, infection control, plus many more certifications
- Have the potential to spend the entire semester in a hospital-based classroom at Hamilton Health Sciences
- Have a chance for guaranteed admission to Mohawk College in the Personal Support Worker program
- Gain the opportunity to participate in an accelerated apprenticeship as an early childhood educator or child and youth worker
Offered at Delta (Child Care and Family Service focus), Sherwood (Fitness and Health Care focus), Sir Allan MacNab ( Fitness and Health Care focus), and Sir Winston Churchill (Health Care focus)
I feel like I really found my niche in health care. I think it's cool that I could pick something I was interested in and try it out first. This experience made high school more fun for me.
Durani Rahmani, Health and Wellness SHSM student
Horticulture & Landscaping - Top
Based on existing horticulture and landscaping courses, you will:
- Learn about plant science, greenhouse structures, propagation, small engine repair and landscape design
- Learn using authentic equipment such as greenhouse technologies and lawn maintenance
- Complete training recognized by the industry, including plant identification
- Work with leading industry experts
Offered at Saltfleet District
This program is great because we get to use real landscaping equipment and we learn in our school's greenhouse. We learn skills they really use in this industry, like creating gardens and taking care of plants, as well as grafting plants from cuttings. We also learn about plant identification by looking at the structure of leaves.
Kristen Sandvall, Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM student
Hospitality & Tourism - Top
Based on student demand and inspired by standards of hospitality and tourism excellence in Hamilton, you will:
- Learn about food preparation and hospitality services
- Connect with hospitality employers
- Participate in training and certification in customer service and safe food handling
- Gain opportunities for apprenticeships upon completion
Offered at Parkview, Orchard Park, Mountain and Sir John A. Macdonald
I chose this program for the opportunities it has to offer. For example, the free certificates of qualification in food handling, first aid, Smart Serve and service excellence. It also prepares me to get a job in a restaurant while I work towards a cook apprenticeship.
Cody Crevar, Hospitality and Tourism SHSM student
Information and Communications Technology - Top
Based on the media industry and the use of relevant tools in a project-driven learning environment, you will:
- Create communication products that are meaningful to your learning and life experiences
- Use industry technology to make productions in single and multi-camera studio
- Explore video/audio recording and editing, broadcast journalism, print, graphic and web design
- Provide opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications
Offered at Barton
“I took this course because I was initially interested in sound production. I grew to appreciate all aspects of the course including camera work, lighting, and video editing. I want to go to college for theatre technology and this course is getting me there.”
Adam Sachs, Information and Communications Technology SHSM students
- Grade 12 Information and Communication Technology Student
Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services - Top
Based on the fast-growing policing and emergency services sector and a strong indication of student interest, you will:
- Explore career pathways such as a police officer, fire fighter, paramedic, forensic scientist, and criminal lawyer
- Earn sector-recognized certification in CPR First Aid and GPS (Global Positioning System), crisis intervention, and self-defence training
- Learn in simulated environments
- Network with professionals in the field such as the Mohawk College Police Foundation
Offered at Hillpark
I’ve always wanted to become either a firefighter or a police officer. This program will help me decide what I’d like to be. I’m so excited that I’ll be involved in a high school program that will help me prepare me for my future.
Eric Sullivan, Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services 2011 Community Safety and Emergency Services student
Manufacturing - Top
Based on an award-winning program and an exceptional partnership with the Canadian Welding Association and the Canadian Welding Bureau, you will:
- Focus on a range of manufacturing processes, including welding, pneumatics, hydraulics, blueprint reading, machining and drafting
- Earn welding certification, AutoCAD training, and other skills valued by the sector
- Gain an opportunity for apprenticeship training
- Have an opportunity for guaranteed admission to Mohawk College in their Mechanical and Industrial Technology programs
Offered at Barton and Highland
I started off with a general interest in manufacturing, and then I wanted welding certifications and experience which helped me to a pathway for an apprenticeship.
Jesse Pappin, Manufacturing SHSM graduate
Partners - Top
