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What is a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)?

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized program that allows students to gain credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and focus their learning on a specific economic sector at the same time. The SHSM is a Ministry of Education approved program that 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. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. The Ministry of Education has more information at .

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 industry certifications like first aid and CPR qualifications
• gain important skills on the job through cooperative education placements

All ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ high schools offer multiple SHSM programs. Please contact the guidance department at your student's high school to find out which programs are currently being offered. Examples of different programs offered throughout ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ include: