What are they?
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's 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 with employers.
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.
Complete details may be reviewed at the Ministry of Education’s website:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/SHSM.asp
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HNM’s SHSM Sectors
1. Non-Profit - “JustAct”
2. Business - “Business Women Leaders (BWL).”
Profile of the Non-profit Sector
The non-profit sector offers a range of careers that are dynamic,
engaging, and rewarding.
Whether in the fields of art, culture, education, the environment,
information technology, heath care, social development, or sport,
countless career paths are available for people who share the sector’s
common vision: to make a difference.
A survey conducted in 2003 by the HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector
found that nearly 1.2 million people in Canada perform paid work for non-profit organizations. This
translates into more than 7 per cent of the Canadian workforce. The sector’s employers include
some 69,000 non-profit organizations nationwide. They are active in a variety of areas – health and
social services, religion, development and housing, arts and culture, sports and recreation, the
environment, education and research, fundraising, and law, advocacy, and politics – both in Canada
and internationally.
What are the future career paths for non-profit majors?
For non-profit majors, possible careers include:
Apprenticeship – event planner, policy analyst
College – fundraising manager, counsellor
University – international aid worker, NGO program administrator
Entry level workplace – fundraiser
Complete details can be reviewed at:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/sector/19_NonProfit.pdf
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Profile of Business Sector
In 2006, over a third of Canada’s workforce of approximately 14.5
million people was employed in the fields of trade and commerce,
finance and insurance, administration and support, and real estate and
leasing. The business sector, the central pillar of Canada’s economy, is
bursting with opportunities, from positions as accountants and clerks to
administrators and retailers.
Because of globalization and new
technology, the business sector also offers opportunities to young
entrepreneurs to aim at the international market. As long as there is
commerce, qualified and knowledgeable workers in business will find
prospects either in one of Canada’s prospering companies or as an
entrepreneur in one of their own.
The SHSM–Business 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. Depending on local circumstances, this SHSM may be designed to have a
particular focus – for example, on entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, retail, marketing,
international business, economics, management and administration, or event planning.
What will students in a business major study?
A bundle of nine Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits in which students earn:
o Four business major credits
o One English credit and two math credits tailored to include units focused on business
o 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 hazardous materials and customer
service
Essential Skills and work habits required in the sector
What are the future career paths for a business major?
For business majors, possible careers include:
Apprenticeship – parts technician, special events coordinator, entrepreneur
College – conference and event planner, legal secretary, entrepreneur
University – financial and investment analyst, web designer and developer, entrepreneur
Entry level workplace – accounting clerk, banking clerk, real estate agent, entrepreneur
Complete details may be reviewed at:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/morestudentsuccess/sector/7_Business.pdf
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SHSM – Student Procedures
1. Obtain complete SHSM application package from Guidance department. The application process is a
TEAM EFFORT that involves subject teachers, Co-op teachers, SHSM Leads and the Guidance
department. Each will play a specific role. You will speak with all parties.
Contents of Application Package
(i) SHSM application
(ii) SHSM course selection form
(iii) Co-op application
(iv) SHSM Application Student Checklist
2. Obtain credit counselling summary from your guidance counsellor. Speak to guidance counsellor
about credit selection, credit planning, SHSM credit requirements, OSSD completion and post
secondary planning. Review your credit counselling summary.
3. Speak to SHSM subject teachers about specific subject/course content, evaluation and course
expectations. Speak to SHSM subject teachers and Co-op teachers about CLA’s, certificate
experiences, OSP and Reach Ahead Experiences.
4. Be sure to complete your Co-op Application and obtain all necessary signatures. Speak to Co-op
teacher about placement opportunities and other related Co-op questions.
5. Review the appropriate course planning form to make sure you will have met your SHSM and OSSD
diploma requirements by the end of Grade 12. You may review planning with your Guidance
Counsellor.
6. Be sure to obtain all signatures on the SHSM application.
NOTE: The signature of the Guidance Counsellor is the last signature to obtain on the SHSM and Co-op
applications.
7. Hand in completed SHSM application to Guidance.
8. Be sure to select the Co-op program during HNM course selection process in Grade 11 or Grade 12.
You must meet co-op expectations to enter and completed co-op. Please see co-op department with
questions.