Students have a look at this

1. Western Secondary
School
Specialist High Skills
Major:
Transportation

2. What is a
“Specialist High Skills
Major”?
• A SHSM enables
students to gain sector
specific skills and
knowledge in the
context of engaging ,
career-related learning.
• It “customizes” your
high school program
based on your interests
• It helps you focus on
your career goal and on
graduating

3. What is involved in a
SHSM?
A high school program
that involves:
• A defined bundle of
courses
• Industry-recognized
training and certification
• Experiential learning
activities
• Reach ahead activities in
the area of your post-
secondary destination
• The use of the Ontario
Skills Passport to
document your learning

4. “Defined Bundle of
Courses”
Includes the following:
• 4 senior transportation
courses
• 2 co-op credits
• Senior English and
Math
• Contextualized
learning activities in
English and Math
• Senior business or
science

5. “Industry Recognized
Certification and Training”
Compulsory
• First Aid / CPR
• WHMIS
• Health and Safety
Four optional areas:
• Service Excellence
• Propane
• Fire Extinguishers
• Vehicle Lift Safety
• Ozone Depletion
• Spill Safety
• Drive Clean
and many, many more

6. What are “Experiential
Learning Activities”?
• “Opportunities to
explore, observe,
participate in and
reflect on a variety of
sector-specific
experiences and
careers”
• Includes:
• One-on-one
observation
• Work experience, job
shadowing, job
twinning
• Tours
• Trade shows

7. What are “Reach Ahead”
Experiences
• Learning Experiences
in the area of your
post-secondary
destination of choice
• Will vary according to
your destination:
workplace,
apprenticeship,
college, university
• “Dual Credit” program
with Georgian College
is one example.

8. What is the
Ontario Skills Passport?
• Integral to the program
• Identifies specific
skills and knowledge
that the sector feels
are important
• A way of tracking and
demonstrating that you
have these
transferable skills
• A great way to begin to
prepare for a possible
career in the
Transportation Sector.

9. What do I get out of it?
• Special Diploma
• Special tracking sheet listing
qualifications
• A “leg up” on other job / program
applicants
• Possible apprenticeship hours
(OYAP)
• Possible college credit (Dual
Credit)..... for FREE!

10. Am I going to have to do
any extra work?
A little bit more … but
• most of the work is within the
normal course outline.
• Some things (like the special
learning activities) may be done
independently
• Some of the industry-recognized
training may be done during the day
or after school…depending on the
trainer.

11. Will I have to pay for the
certifications?
• Some courses may require a
charge to register with the
provincial or national
organization (-ie- Red Cross /
First Aid Certificate)
• Other courses will be provided
by qualified trainers at no cost
to the student.

12. Is the SHSM for all
students?
It is open to all students taking
transportation courses
All levels…workplace, college,
apprenticeship, university
Other SHSMs may be coming in
future years.

13. Can I change my mind?
Yes … at any time
• You are not committed to a
career in transportation
• However… if you are interested
in a career in transportation…
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET
STARTED!!!

14. What do I do next?
• Grade 10s: Complete the registration form
when you select your courses for next
year.
• Grade 11s: Complete the registration form
by the end of the month.
• Grade 12s: If you are coming back, you
could still qualifiy…complete the
registration form by the end of the month.
• If you are not returning, you will not be able to
complete all the requirements for a SHSM

15. Questions