SHSM

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

specialist high skills major

West Hill Collegiate Institute offers a Specialist High Skills Major in Transportation Technology

Transportation… Where Math, Physics and Engineering Meet!

SHSM is a Ministry approved specialized program for students in grades 11 and 12. It allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school. SHSMs support student transitions to college, apprenticeship, university and the workplace.

The SHSM program in Transportation gives students an opportunity to specialize, gain qualifications, and plan a career pathway in various areas of the Transportation sector. The SHSM program has a number of required components including:

  1. A package of 8-10 required credits (the majority earned in grade 11 and 12 courses) that constitute a pathway to one of four possible destinations: apprenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace. The package must include:
  • Four (4) credits (called the "major" credits) for courses that provide knowledge and skills closely related to the particular sector of specialization, which are specified in each of the frameworks;
  • Three (3) additional credits for courses in English and other relevant disciplines (e.g. science, mathematics, or business studies), as specified in each of the frameworks, which include units of study that are customized to the particular sector.  Some credits (e.g. English) may be used to meet compulsory credit requirements for the OSSD;
  • Two (2) co-operative education credits, which may be used to meet 2 of the 18 compulsory credit requirements for the OSSD.

2.  Compulsory certifications, which are identified in each SHSM framework, including first aid and CPR qualifications.  

3.  Experiential learning through job shadowing, work experience, and a minimum of two credits earned through cooperative education.

4.  A Sector Partnered Contextualized Component (SPCC) including one of the following options: Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship (ICE) training; sector-delivered contextualized coding; or, sector-delivered mathematical literacy.

5.  "Reach ahead" opportunities, which allow students to experience learning in their intended post-secondary destination and which can range from a day of attendance at a college, a university, a workplace experience or to the completion of a dual credit.

Career Opportunities in the Transportation Sector

Apprenticeship Training:

Alignment and Brakes Technician Auto Body Repair

Automotive Painter Marine Engine Technician

Motorcycle Technician Parts Technician

Recreation Vehicle Technician Small Engine Technician

Transmission Technician Truck Service Technician

College Training:

Air pilot Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Engineering Technician Technician Industrial Designer

Navigation Officer Quality Control Inspector

Supervisor, Motor Transport Ground Transit Operator

University Training:

Aerospace Engineer Automotive Engineer

Industrial Designer Urban Planner

Workplace Training:

Aircraft Assembler Airport Ramp Attendant

Automobile Salesperson Boat Assembler and Inspector

Boat Operator Bus, Subway Operator

Delivery Equipment Operator Rail Track Maintenance Worker

Service Station Attendant Tire Repairer

Benefits of SHSM

  • Special “Red Seal” Diploma
  • A ‘leg-up” on other job/program applicants
  • Possible apprenticeship hours (OYAP)