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Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows grade 11 and 12 students to experience a range of customized, career-focused learning opportunities while still earning their high school credits.

The program allows students to focus their education in a specific sector while gaining valuable experience and developing essential skills in their chosen pathway.

Students completing the required components of the SHSM are able to graduate with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with a Red Seal.

Benefits

Pursuing an SHSM enables students to:

  1. Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents
  2. Develop specialized knowledge and skills valued by postsecondary institutions
  3. Earn credits recognized by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
  4. Acquire sector-specific and career-relevant certification and training

5 SHSM Program Components

Together, these requirements provide the curriculum-based and experiential learning experiences for a successful transition to a student’s chosen pathway.

  1. Bundle of Grade 11 and 12 Courses
  2. Certifications
  3. Reach Ahead Opportunities
  4. Cooperative Education
  5. Sector-Specific Partnered Experiences (Math, Coding, or ICE)

Photo Albums

Agriculture, Forestry and Environment
Trades and Technology
Service Industry

Specialist High Skills Majors offered in 2025-2026

École Secondaire Cochrane High School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business
Englehart High School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business Forestry
Hearst High School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business
Iroquois Falls Secondary School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business Health & Wellness Transportation
Kapuskasing District High School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business Transportation
Kirkland Lake District Composite School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business Construction Environment Information and Communications Technology Manufacturing Mining
Roland Michener Secondary School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business Justice, Community Safety, Emergency Services
Timiskaming District Secondary School
Agriculture Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business: Entrepreneurship Focus Construction Health & Wellness Information and Communications Technology Manufacturing
Timmins High and Vocational School
Arts & Culture: Indigenous Focus Business Construction Health & Wellness Information and Communications Technology Hospitality & Tourism: Culinary Focus Manufacturing
Please contact your Guidance Counsellor for further information.