Westdale offers Specialist High Skills Major programming in Arts and Culture, Construction, Health and Wellness, and Information and Communications Technology. SHSM is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and assists in their transition from secondary school to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace. Programming is available in all pathways for all SHSM programs offered at Westdale.
Each SHSM includes the following five components:
- A bundle of 8-10 Grade 11 and 12 credits that includes:
- 4 major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
- 2-4 other required credits, in which some learning activities are contextualized to the sector
- 2 cooperative education credits tied back to the major credits
- Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses
- Experiential learning activities within the sector
- “Reach ahead” experiences connected with the student’s chosen postsecondary pathway
- Development of key Essential skills and work habits required in the sector, and use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)
For information about either of these SHSM programs, students should see their Guidance counsellor, or the sector lead for the SHSM program they are interested in (indicated below). Students should also go to the Guidance course on The Hub for information about courses that qualify as Major Credit or Additional Credits for SHSM programs
Specialist High Skills Major (Mr. Kipp) – Construction
Specialist High Skills Major (Ms. Vivian) – Arts and Culture
Specialist High Skills Major (Ms. Taylor) – Health and Wellness
Specialist Hight Skills Major (Mr. Wilson)- Information & Communications Technology