Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

What is SHSM?

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a ministry funded diploma opportunity that provides industry mentorship through specific courses, industry-standard certifications, and real world experiences.  Students register in Grade 10 to participate in their Grade 11 & 12 years of secondary school. To learn more about SHSM, please visit the ministry website.

Key Benefits for Students

Pursuing a SHSM enables students to:

  • Customize their secondary school education to suit their interests and talents
  • Develop specialized knowledge and skills that are valued by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
  • Earn credits that are recognized by the sector and postsecondary education institutions
  • Acquire sector-specific and career-relevant certification and training
  • Gain confidence in their knowledge of the SHSM Sector
  • Identify, explore and refine their career goals and make informed decisions about their postsecondary destination
  • Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways

TVDSB SHSM Offered Programs

Over 70 SHSM programs are available across our school district. Current programs are available to search by sector or school listed below.

SHSM Sectors 

 Jet planes in london ontario
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. 

Core industries in this sector include:

  • maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft, engines, avionics, systems, and equipment
  • design and manufacturing of commercial aircraft, engines, systems, avionics, equipment, and components
  • flight operations (e.g., pilot training, airport services, air traffic control, and space and equipment handling)
Sector School Brochure 
Aviation Aviation TVDSB School Download

shsm-agriculture-tvdsb

The SHSM – Agriculture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on agricultural equipment or animal and crop science. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure 
Agriculture  College Avenue Secondary School Download
 Agriculture  North Middlesex District High School Download
 Agriculture  West Elgin Secondary School Download

The SHSM–Arts and Culture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on dance, dramatic arts management or technical production. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure
 Arts and Culture

Arthur Voaden Secondary School

Download
 Arts and Culture

Clarke Road Secondary School

Download
 Arts and Culture College Avenue Secondary School
Download
 Arts and Culture H. B. Beal Secondary School
Download
 Arts and Culture London South Download
 Arts and Culture Lord Dorchester Secondary School Download
 Arts and Culture

Medway Secondary School

Download
 Arts and Culture Parkside Collegiate Institute Download
 Arts and Culture Saunders Secondary School Download
 Arts and Culture Strathroy District Collegiate Institute Download
 Arts and Culture Westminster Secondary School Download
 Arts and Culture 

Woodstock Collegiate Institute

Download

Business student sitting in class

 

The SHSM–Business enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, retail, marketing, international business, economics, management and administration, or event planning. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure
 Business A.B. Lucas Secondary School Download
 Business Central Elgin Collegiate Institute Download
 Business H. B. Beal Secondary School Download
 Business

Montcalm Secondary School

Download
 Business

Oakridge Secondary School

Download

The SHSM–Construction enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.

Sector

School

Brochure
Construction A.B. Lucas Secondary School Download
Construction Arthur Voaden Secondary School Download
Construction H. B. Beal Secondary School Download
Construction

College Avenue Secondary School

Download
Construction

East Elgin Secondary School

Download

Construction

Glendale High School

Download

Construction

Glencoe District High School

Download

Construction

Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute

Download
Construction

Lord Dorchester 

Download
Construction

Parkside Collegiate Institute

Download
Construction

Saunders Secondary School

Download
Construction

Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School

Download
Construction

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School

Download

The SHSM–Environment enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on environmental science or environmental studies. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure
Environment East Elgin Secondary School Download
Environment

Strathroy District Collegiate Institute

Download
Environment West Elgin Secondary School Download

Three students in a health and wellness classroom

The SHSM–Health and Wellness enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on health care, fitness, or child care and family services. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure 
Health and Wellness Arthur Voaden Secondary School Download
Health and Wellness

Central Elgin Collegiate Institute

Download
Health and Wellness

Clarke Road Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness

East Elgin Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness

Glencoe District High School

Download
Health and Wellness

Huron Park Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness

London Central

Download
Health and Wellness

Lord Dorchester Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness Montcalm Secondary School Download
Health and Wellness

Oakridge Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness

Saunders Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness

Westminster Secondary School

Download
Health and Wellness

Woodstock Collegiate Institute

Download

The SHSM–Horticulture and Landscaping provides students with a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers in the horticulture and landscaping sector. It enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.

Sector

School

Brochure
Horticulture and Landscaping  Parkside Collegiate Institute Download

The SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on tourism or hospitality. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure
Hospitality and Tourism Arthur Voaden Secondary School Download
Hospitality and Tourism

Clarke Road Secondary School

Download
Hospitality and Tourism

College Avenue Secondary School

Download
Hospitality and Tourism

Saunders Secondary School

Download

The SHSM–Information and Communications Technology enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on communication systems, computer systems, or software and digital media. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure
Information and Communications Technology H. B. Beal Secondary School Download
Information and Communications Technology West Elgin Secondary School Download
Information and Communications Technology Westminster Secondary School Download
Information and Communications Technology Woodstock Collegiate Institute Download

 

justice shsm

The SHSM–Justice, Community Safety, and Emergency Services enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on legal services, policing and private security services, the armed forces, or correctional services. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure 
 Justice, Community Safety, and Emergency Services Strathroy District Collegiate Institute Download

non-profit shsm

The SHSM–Non-profit enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or a position in the workplace. Students will develop skills in the areas of problem solving, analysis, communication, cooperation, ethical values, consciousness, and citizenship. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on international development or community action. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure 
Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care  Clarke Road Secondary School Download
Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care  Huron Park Secondary School Download
Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute Download
Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care Woodstock Collegiate Institute Download

The SHSM–Manufacturing enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Students are exposed to a wide variety of careers in the manufacturing sector, from broad areas such as programming, operation, service, and repair to more specific areas such as robotics and advanced manufacturing.

Sector

School

Brochure
Manufacturing Clarke Road Secondary School Download
Manufacturing College Avenue Secondary School Download
Manufacturing East Elgin Secondary School Download
Manufacturing

H. B. Beal Secondary School

Download
Manufacturing

Huron Park Secondary School

Download
Manufacturing

Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute

Download
Manufacturing

Parkside Collegiate Institute

Download
Manufacturing

Saunders Secondary School

Download
Manufacturing Strathroy District Collegiate Institute Download
Manufacturing Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School Download

A Student lifting weights in a gym

The SHSM–Sports enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace. Where local circumstances allow, boards may elect to offer one or more variants of the SHSM in a given sector, each with a particular area of focus. This SHSM may be designed to have a particular focus – for example, on competitive and recreational sports, sports management, or sports media and broadcasting. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Sector

School

Brochure
Sports A.B. Lucas Secondary School Download
Sports

H. B. Beal Secondary School

Download
Sports

Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute

Download
Sports

London South Collegiate Institute

Download
Sports

Parkside Collegiate Institute

Download
Sports

Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School

Download
Sports

Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School

Download
Sports Woodstock Collegiate Institute Download

Student working on a car engine

The SHSM–Transportation provides students with a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers in the transportation sector, from those focusing on the service, repair, and modification of vehicles and vehicle systems to those related to the organization and management of transportation services and mass-transit systems. The SHSM–Transportation enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or an entry-level position in the workplace.

Sector

School

Brochure
Transportation Arthur Voaden Secondary School Download
Transportation

Glencoe District High School

Download
Transportation

Glendale High School

Download
Transportation

Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute

Download
Transportation

Montcalm Secondary School

Download
Transportation

North Middlesex District High School

Download
Transportation

Parkside Collegiate Institute

Download
Transportation

Westminster Secondary School

Download

5 SHSM Program Common Components

Each Specialist High Skills Major consists of five required components:

  • Bundle of Gr. 11 & 12 Courses
  • Certifications
  • Reach Ahead Opportunities
  • Cooperative Education
  • Sector Specific Partnered Experiences in Math, Coding or ICE (Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship)

Schools and Offered Programs

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Business David Dodge d.dodge@tvdsb.ca 
 Construction Kyle Macedo kyle.macedo@tvdsb.ca
 Sports Patrick Barnett, Andrea Hansen

p.barnett@tvdsb.ca   

a.hansen@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture  Maria Martinez-Harild, Charlene Saini

 m.martinez@tvdsb.ca

 Construction  Joe Hestera  j.hestera@tvdsb.ca 
 Health & Wellness  Heather Smith-Hudson  h.smith-hudson@tvdsb.ca 
 Hospitality & Tourism  Jennifer Goold  j.goold@tvdsb.ca 
 Transportation  David Tenhor  d.tenhor@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Business  Jillyne Nabrotzky  jillyne.nabrotzky@tvdsb.ca 
 Health and Wellness  Tonya Rumas t.rumas@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Health & Wellness  Julie Nye  j.nye@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
Arts & Culture  Sherry Collins sherry.collins@tvdsb.ca
Health & Wellness  Merlin Melchers  m.melchers@tvdsb.ca 
Hospitality & Tourism  Rob Howland, Sean McNamara

r.howland@tvdsb.ca

s.mcnamara@tvdsb.ca 

Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care  Robert Gillespie, Alicia Cheshire

r.gillespie@tvdsb.ca

Manufacturing  Pete Clubb, Brad McAulay

p.clubb@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
Agriculture  Jack Verrips j.verrips@tvdsb.ca 
Arts & Culture  Shelley Corriveau s.corriveau@tvdsb.ca 
Construction  Rob Van Dasler, Dan Paul r.vandasler@tvdsb.ca 
Hospitality & Tourism  Marc Gauvin m.gauvin@tvdsb.ca
Manufacturing   Jason Campbell j.campbell@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Environment Stacey Suffel, Adam Bengen s.suffel@tvdsb.ca 
 Health & Wellness Crystal Melosferrazza c.melosferrazza@tvdsb.ca
 Manufacturing Craig Suffel c.suffel@tvdsb.ca 
 Construction Mark McCallum m.mccallum@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Construction Jonathan Periard j.periard@tvdsb.ca
 Transportation Jim Rops j.rops@tvdsb.ca 
 Health and Wellness Lauren Allen lauren.allen@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
Transportation  Chuck Peterson c.peterson@tvdsb.ca 
Construction  Tanya Empson t.empson@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture Susan Smith, Marni Wolfe, Ashley Thompson, Jennifer Johnston s.smith7@tvdsb.ca
m.wolfe@tvdsb.ca 
 Business Jeff Bailey j.bailey@tvdsb.ca  
 Information & Communication Peter Liston p.liston@tvdsb.ca 
 Manufacturing Scott Telfer s.telfer@tvdsb.ca 
 Sports Mike Hegarty, Theresa Harthill m.hegarty@tvdsb.ca
t.harthill@tvdsb.ca 
 Construction Adriano Monopoli a.monopoli@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Health & Wellness  Monique Telfer m.telfer@tvdsb.ca 
 Manufacturing  Henry Letkeman  h.letkeman@tvdsb.ca 
 Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care  Sara Stephenson, Rob Dowsett s.stephenson@tvdsb.ca, r.dowsett@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
Construction  Jonathan Postma, Mike Pelton j.postma@tvdsb.ca 
Manufacturing  Adam Vicent adam.vincent@tvdsb.ca
Sports  Tila Cassone t.cassone@tvdsb.ca
Transportation  Gord Smith, Brian Nagle gord.smith@tvdsb.ca
Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care  Maggie Kolasiewicz-Carter m.kolasiewiczcarter@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Health & Wellness  Julie Nye j.nye@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Sports  Justin Fish j.fish@tvdsb.ca 
 Arts & Culture  Jen Porawski, Sarah Hoy j.porawski@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture  James Callowhill, Michelle Murphy j.callowhill@tvdsb.ca
michelle.murphy@tvdsb.ca 
 Construction  Paul Dawson paul.dawson@tvdsb.ca
 Health & Wellness  Nigel Dalton

n.dalton@tvdsb.ca  

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture Glenn Waugh g.waugh@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Aviation Nathan From, Wayne Cramp n.from@tvdsb.ca
 Business Keith Crawford k.crawford@tvdsb.ca 
 Transportation Nathan From    n.from@tvdsb.ca 
 Health and Wellness Jane Rous, Sandra Briars j.rous@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Agriculture  Darryl Timmermans, Jonathan Good d.timmermans@tvdsb.ca 
 Transportation  Darryl Timmermans, Jonathan Good d.timmermans@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Business  Austin Scarpelli  a.scarpelli@tvdsb.ca 
 Health & Wellness  Derek Naisbitt, Amy Robinson, Jason Carrelas  d.naisbitt@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture  Mary Cameron m.cameron@tvdsb.ca 
 Construction  Gerald Hikele g.hikele@tvdsb.ca 
 Horticulture  Theo Schelhaas t.schelhass@tvdsb.ca 
 Manufacturing  Ken Vannatter k.vannatter@tvdsb.ca
 Sports  Jamie Fife j.fife@tvdsb.ca 
 Transportation  Brydon Ensing brydon.ensing@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
Arts & Culture Joyce Franklin, Claire Martin j.franklin@tvdsb.ca
Construction Keith Neal k.neal@tvdsb.ca 
Health & Wellness Rosemarie Sudicky, Kate Quinlan katherine.quinlan@tvdsb.ca
Hospitality & Tourism David Rosen d.rosen@tvdsb.ca 
Manufacturing Aron Sudicky a.sudicky@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Business Don Thody  d.thody@tvdsb.ca 
 Construction Maurice Sheehan  m.sheehan@tvdsb.ca 
 Sports Mike Bates, Todd MacKay   m.bates@tvdsb.ca 

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Construction Keith Sinke k.sinke@tvdsb.ca
 Manufacturing Stephen Miron s.miron@tvdsb.ca
 Sports Valerie Kelley, Erica Flynn, Bill Thomson, Peter Sidler v.kelley@tvdsb.ca
e.flynn@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture Jenny Needham j.needham@tvdsb.ca 
 Environment Daniel Kajan, Diana MacKenzie d.kajan@tvdsb.ca
d.mackenzie@tvdsb.ca 
 Manufacturing Derek Freer d.freer@tvdsb.ca 
 Justice, Community Safety, and Emergency Services Jason Hatch j.hatch@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Agriculture  Kimberly Rowsom k.rowsom@tvdsb.ca
 Environment  Kimberly Rowsom k.rowsom@tvdsb.ca
 Information & Communication  Natalie Gillis n.gillis@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture Reece Cantelon r.cantelon@tvdsb.ca 
 Health & Wellness Craig Dixon  craig.dixon@tvdsb.ca 
 Information & Communication Terry Williams t.williams@tvdsb.ca
 Transportation Greg Bain g.bain@tvdsb.ca

Sector 

SHSM Lead

Contact 
 Arts & Culture  Sue Stevens s.stevens@tvdsb.ca 
 Health and Wellness  Aria Marano, Alyson Siderius, Brittani Commisso a.marano@tvdsb.caalyson.siderius@tvdsb.ca
b.commisso@tvdsb.ca 
 Information & Communication  Scott MacIntosh s.macintosh@tvdsb.ca 
 Non-Profit, Education, and Child Care Candice Folkema, Alex Mara c.folkema@tvdsb.caalexandra.mara@tvdsb.ca 
 Sports  Martha Trepanier, Jason Poole m.trepanier@tvdsb.cajason.poole@tvdsb.ca 

Contact

For more information, contact the SHSM program coordinator Rebecca Cober r.cober@tvdsb.ca.