The Halton Catholic District School Board is pleased to announce the approval of five new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs for the 2010-2011 school year, in addition to the 10 programs that are currently offered. With the inclusion of the fi ve new programs, there will now be an SHSM program offered in every secondary school throughout the Board.
The five new programs being offered at the Halton Catholic District School Board are:
- Business - Leadership at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
- Energy at Bishop P. F. Reding Catholic Secondary School
- Health and Wellness - Sports Leadership at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School
- Hospitality at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
- Information, Communications Technology - Computer Engineering at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
“The Specialist High Skills Major program provides students an opportunity to focus their learning on a specific economic sector that they are keenly interested in, all the while working towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma,” says Rick MacDonald, Superintendent of Education, Curriculum Services. “These programs foster individual engagement in learning and benefit students by helping them to develop essential skills and work habits, which will be an invaluable asset when pursuing any of the various post-secondary pathways.”
A Specialist High Skills Major is a ministry-approved and career-focused program that allows students to acquire technical knowledge and skills that are of particular importance, and of particular interest, to each individual student. In 2010-2011, there will be over 1,000 Specialist High Skills Major programs in more than 530 secondary schools in the province, with 28,000 students enrolled altogether.
SHSM programs require completion of the following components:
- A defined bundle of Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits for each of the four pathways to postsecondary destinations: apprenticeship training, college, university and workplace
- Compulsory certifications and training
- Experiential learning and career exploration, including job shadowing, work experience, and job twinning
- Reach ahead opportunities which allow students to experience their intended postsecondary environment
- Development of Essential Skills and work habits and use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP)
Students and parents are encouraged to seek more information by visiting schooltocareer.ca for a list of all regional programs. Interested students can apply through onsorts.ca.