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Specialist High Skills Major

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Focus on a career path that matches your skills and interests while gaining hands-on experience with a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program through the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB). You'll gain valuable skills on the job from employers, skills training centres, and school during exploration activities through co-op placements and field trips.

Through experiential learning, course work, and training and certifications, you'll gain a specialization in a specific industry sector. You'll build real-world connections through your course work to your industry of interest. Stand out in future applications for bursaries and scholarships.

Getting started

Please contact Justin St. Pierre at 519-255-3200 ext. 10333, or any GECDSB Secondary School guidance department to find out how register.

If you're a Grade 11 or 12 student in any pathway (apprenticeship, college, university, or workplace) you can register for an SHSM program in your school. You can indicate your interest in a program as early as grade 9 by logging into My Blueprint and using the SHSM planner tool under the High School Tab. If you complete all program requirements by graduation, you will earn a red seal on your Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

Explore the majors

Each major includes eight to 10 courses, certification and training, and co-operative work experiences related to the selected field. You'll take part in Reach Ahead Experiences that connect will connect you to post-secondary plans. This can include tours of post-secondary institutions and industry, presentations from professionals within this sector. You'll learn Essential Skills and Workplace Habits through an online program and co-op placements, and gain valuable industry certifications, including first aid, CPR qualifications and more.

Agriculture​

The SHSM-Agriculture empowers you with a foundation of sector knowledge and skills before you graduate. As one of the world's agri-food trading leaders that exports more agri-food products than we import, you'll learn how to join a growing industry and start your successful career in agriculture.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand agricultural careers including:

  • Agricultural chemist or inspectors
  • Agricultural equipment and supplies salespersons
  • Arborists
  • Chemical or mechanical engineers
  • Farm equipment technicians
  • Farmers
  • Pet groomer and animal care workers
  • Soil scientists
  • Specialist livestock workers
  • Veterinarians
  • Winery and viticulture technicians

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four agriculture major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • Fall Protection
  • Lift Truck Safety
  • Pesticide Handling
  • Safe Lifting
  • Soil Testing Techniques
  • Standard First Aid
  • Weed and Pest Identification
  • WHMIS

Arts and Culture

An arts education will challenge you to think critically and to solve problems creatively. Arts and culture are essential in the new global economy. In the past decade, the culture sector labour force grew by 31 per cent, compared to a growth rate of 20 per cent for Canada's overall labour force. These skills that are in high demand.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Painter
  • Decorator
  • Conservator or curator
  • Graphic artist
  • Illustrator
  • Animator and other visual artists
  • Announcer and other broadcasters
  • Film or video camera operator
  • Designers: clothing, interior homes
  • Public relations and communications
  • Theatre, fashion, exhibit designers
  • Weaver and other fabric-making occupations
  • Performers: actor, comedian, dancer, musician

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Arts and Culture Major Credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Customer service
  • Health and safety (basic)
  • Audition preparation
  • Training in an art form (tap dance, improvisation) or technique (figure drawing, conducting)
  • Stage combat
  • Software (animation, graphic arts, photography)

Aviation and Aerospace

The ever-changing nature of aviation and aerospace, the complexity of supply chain dynamics, and the accelerated pace of change in the aerospace sector provide a variety of career opportunities for Ontario students.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand aviation and aerospace careers including:

  • Air pilot, flight engineer, and flying instructors
  • Air traffic controllers and related occupations
  • Aircraft instrument, electrical, and avionics mechanics, technicians, and inspectors
  • Electronic service technicians
  • Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians
  • Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  • Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
  • Aerospace engineers
  • Electrical and electronics engineers
  • Industrial and manufacturing engineers
  • Mechanical engineers

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Aviation and Aerospace major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • Customer service
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Basic Electrical Safety
  • Working at Heights
  • Elevated work platforms
  • Fire safety and fire extinguisher use

Business

Due to globalization and new technology, the business sector offers many opportunities.

Whether you join one of Canada's prospering companies or step out on your own as an entrepreneur, you'll be joining a thriving element of Canada's economy. Over a third of Canada's workforce is employed in trade and commerce, finance and insurance, administration and support, and real estate and leasing.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Accountant
  • Economist
  • Small business owner
  • Special events coordinator
  • Specialist in human resources
  • Marketing researcher and consultant
  • Social policy researcher or consultant
  • Policy researcher and analyst executive assistant
  • Purchasing agent retail and wholesale buyer
  • Clerk: accounting, administrative, banking, customer service, insurance

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four business major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • Customer service
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Counterfeit detection
  • Health and safety
  • Fraud prevention
  • Management and leadership
  • Software

Construction

There are four categories of work in the construction industry that require the use of different equipment and workers with a variety of skills.

A SHSM graduate could start their career in:

  1. New home building and renovation;
  2. Heavy industrial construction;
  3. Institutional and commercial construction; and
  4. Civil engineering construction.

In Ontario, around 60,000 workers will be needed to replace retirees who are taking essential skills with them. An additional 75,000 workers will be needed to fill positions related to new construction.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Architect
  • Brick and stone mason
  • Carpenter
  • Electrician
  • Home renovator
  • Interior designer
  • Plumber
  • Heating and air conditioning contractor
  • Residential home builder
  • Roofer
  • Engineer - electrical, mechanical, structural

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Construction major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR-Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Fall protection
  • Health and safety
  • Elevated work platforms
  • Lift truck safety
  • Scaffold safety

Environment

Environment Careers Organization Canada states that environmental employment

Includes these sectors of the economy:

  1. Environmental protection;
  1. Conservation and preservation of natural resources; and
  2. Environmental sustainability.

Employment in the environment sector is booming and existing labour shortages in this sector are expected to increase Canada's goals regarding climate change come into effect according to industry experts.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Arborist
  • Landscape architects
  • Urban and land use planners
  • Silviculture and forestry workers
  • Climatologist or meteorologist
  • Conservation or fishery officer
  • Outdoor sport and recreation guide
  • Technician - pollution control, soil testing
  • Biological technologist or technician
  • Landscaping and grounds maintenance workers
  • Geological engineer, geologist or geochemist

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Environment major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
  • Species identification
  • Paddling techniques
  • Map and compass use

Health and Wellness

The need for health and wellness professionals will increase as current employees are near retirement age and as our population ages, the demands on the health care sector will rise. According to Canada's Health Care System, around 1.6 million people work in health care and social services in a variety of careers, making it the nation's third largest employer.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Optometrist
  • Paramedic
  • Fitness instructor
  • Funeral director
  • Dietician or nutritionist
  • Dental hygienist/assistant
  • Hairstylist or esthetician
  • Family, marriage or other counsellor
  • Hospital admitting clerk or medical secretary
  • Child and youth worker or social service worker
  • Registered nurse or nurse practitioner or physician
  • Recreation program leader
  • Registered masseuse
  • Sports therapist

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Health and Wellness major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR-Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Infection Control
  • Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
  • Ethical considerations
  • Customer service
  • Leadership
  • Conflict resolution
  • Non-violent crisis intervention

Horticulture and Landscaping

The Horticulture and landscaping sector is growing rapidly because of residential and commercial construction activity. There will be a great demand and entrepreneurial opportunities for skilled professionals over the coming years. The need for management and maintenance of local parks and botanical and heritage gardens, sports grounds, and construction of domestic gardens is growing. There is also a rising consumer demand for outdoor recreation, environmental sustainability, and eco-tourism.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Arborist
  • Botanist or biologist
  • Gardener
  • Golf course technician
  • Greenhouse worker
  • Small engine technician
  • Horticulturist and horticulture technician
  • Land and garden retail salesperson
  • Landscape architect and landscape labourer
  • Urban forestry and park technician

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Horticulture and Landscape major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Plant identification
  • Customer service
  • Herbicides and pesticides
  • Plant layout
  • Pruning

Hospitality and Tourism

Careers in tourism provide many opportunities for advancement, widely transferable skills, and ongoing training, which can be applied to over 400 occupations across five sub-sectors, including:

  1. Hospitality and tourism
  1. Accommodation
  2. Food and beverage services
  3. Recreation
  4. Travel services

Tourism industries are an important employment sector that accounts for 1.6 million jobs. Between now and 2025, spending on tourism goods and services in Canada is expected to grow to $201 billion. It is estimated that 219,000 tourism jobs will go unfilled because of declining birth rates and an aging workforce.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Baker, chef, cook
  • Flight attendant
  • Hotel or resort manager
  • Dietician or nutritionist
  • Executive housekeeper
  • Food and beverage server
  • Sales representative - wine, food
  • Special events coordinator
  • Travel counsellor or reservation agent
  • Public relations and communications spokesperson

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Hospitality and Tourism major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Customer service
  • Safe food handling
  • Events coordinator
  • Smart serve
  • Cook/line cook

Information and Communication Technology

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) processes information using electronic systems, which continues to transform our economy and everyday life.

Core industries in this sector include:

  1. Communications systems
  2. Computer systems
  3. Software and digital media

Many sectors include design and development, sales and marketing, security, training, and maintenance and repair. The total number of ICT workers is on the rise according to Industry Canada and are well compensated. They earn 46 per cent more than the economy-wide average.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Computer engineer
  • Computer programmer
  • Technical sales specialist
  • Computer network technician
  • Information systems analyst
  • Audio and video recording technician
  • Graphic designer, illustrator, animator
  • Residential and commercial installer
  • Software engineer and designer
  • Electrical and electronics engineering technologist
  • Telecommunications line and cable worker
  • Web designer and developer

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four ICT major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Customer service
  • Digital lighting
  • Internet security
  • Counterfeit detection
  • Recording equipment
  • Computer hardware

Justice, Emergency Services and Community Safety

Ontario has rigorous community safety legislation. Since 9/11, governments, NGOs, and private enterprise have enhanced their efforts to ensure public safety and security. With these efforts, there has been many new programs and staffing increases within the sector. With the sector's low rates of unemployment (0.4 per cent for police officers and firefighters) and future retirement rates, this offers excellent prospects for employment.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Air traffic controller
  • Animal control officer
  • Bodyguard or security manager
  • Border services officer
  • Court clerk
  • Police officer or correctional officer
  • Firefighter
  • Lawyer or paralegal
  • Private investigator
  • Soldier or military officer
  • 911 dispatcher

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Justice, Community Safety and Emergency major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C+ AED
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Conflict resolution
  • Emergency response techniques
  • Leadership
  • Legal terminology
  • Lifesaving
  • Safe weapon handling

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector and its production of consumer and industrial goods are essential for Ontario's prosperity. The sector accounts for a great number of jobs and contributes 15 per cent of gross domestic product. The sector is undergoing fundamental change. There are opportunities regarding skills development and human resource issues across the sectors within Canadian manufacturing.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Electrician
  • Mould Maker
  • Tool and Die Maker
  • Inventory Clerk
  • Engineer - Chemical
  • Millwright-Industrial
  • Motor Vehicle Assembler
  • Precision Machinist and Metal Fabricator
  • Technical Sales Specialist
  • Engineer: Electrical, Mechanical, Production
  • Manufacturing Technician/Technologist

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Manufacturing major credits
  • Two Co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Elevated work platforms
  • Hoisting and rigging
  • Lift truck safety
  • Safe lifting
  • Fall protection

Non-profit

The non-profit sector includes a dynamic, engaging and rewarding range of careers. Around 1.2 million people or 7 per cent of Canada's workforce work for 69,000 non-profit organizations nationwide. Many different career paths are available to you if you share the sector's common vision: to make a difference.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Administrative officer
  • Fundraising consultant
  • Rural development officer
  • Social services planner/researcher
  • Community social development officer
  • Conference event planner or festival organizer
  • Business or office manager - non-profit organization
  • Social policy researcher consultant and program officer

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Non-Profit major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C+ AED
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Customer service
  • Event coordination
  • Ethical considerations
  • Management and leadership
  • Proposal and grant writing

Transportation​

Transportation systems move materials to manufacturers and finished products to consumers across the world. Not only vital to our daily lives and commutes, transportation and transportation systems are an important area of employment in our economy. There is a high demand for qualified personnel as employment in this sector has steadily grown.

Learn skills and gain experience for in-demand careers including:

  • Air Pilot
  • Industrial Designer
  • Automobile Salesperson
  • Heavy Equipment Operators
  • Delivery and Courier Service Drivers
  • Aircraft Assembler and Assembly Inspector
  • Auto Body Repairer and Automotive Painter
  • Bus Driver, Subway and Other Transit Operators
  • Engineer- Aerospace, Automotive, Mechanical
  • Mechanic - Marine Engine, Small Engine, Track and Transport
  • Quality Control Assembly Inspector - Automotive, Marine
  • Technician -Automotive, Industrial Engine, Motorcycle

Build your career through a bundle of Grade 11 and 12 courses:

  • Four Transportation major credits
  • Two co-op credits in the sector

Gain sector-recognized certification and training that can include:

  • CPR - Level C
  • WHMIS
  • Standard first aid
  • Customer service
  • Lift truck safety
  • Fall protection
  • Vehicle lift safety
  • Health and safety
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Greater Essex County District School Board

451 Park Street West
P.O. Box 210
Windsor ON N9A 6K1

Phone: (519) 255-3200
Toll Free: 1-888-779-7735

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