The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is an exciting, Ministry approved program that enables students to design their high school years around their own personal interests and career plans. The SHSM program helps students develop important skills through the delivery of sector-focused credits and industry certifications as part of real work experiences. This helps students prepare for a variety of post-secondary pathways, including apprenticeship, college, university, or direct entry into the labor market. SHSM is recognized as a part of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, and highlights a students’ specialized skills and dedication.
At Newtonbrook Secondary School, we are pleased to offer three SHSM pathways; Arts & Culture, Health & Wellness, and Hospitality & Tourism. Each SHSM offers a bundled package of 8 - 10 credits in the chosen sector, as well as certifications and training valued by the employer, hands-on activities such as job shadowing and COOP, and career exploration with post-secondary institutions. The SHSM program is open to students entering Grades 11 and Grade 12 and is designed to build confidence, develop practical skills and help take informed steps toward their future.