About the Program
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program in Arts and Culture gives students an opportunity to specialize, gain qualifications, and plan a career pathway in various areas of the Arts and Culture sector while still in high school. The SHSM Program has a number of required components, designed to give students a "leg-up" to pursue post-secondary opportunities in each of the identified sectors, valuing all 4 destinations.
The Required Components are as follows:
- Bundled Credits: Each SHSM program offers students a
bundle of 8 - 10 credits, including:
- 4 "major" credits in the Arts (2 in Grade 11 and 2 in Grade 12)
- Supporting credits: 1 Grade 12 English, 1 Business Studies or Canadian and World Studies, 2 cooperative education credits, and other complimenting credits depending on the program, that will be delivered in the context of that sector
- Contextualized Learning Activities: Supporting credits, such as English, business studies or Canadian and World Studies,include units and other opportunities for SHSM students to learn in the context of the sector they have chosen
- i.e. Students complete a business project related to a managing a theatre production
- Certifications and Awareness Training: Sector-recognized certifications related to the major and selected from a list, including Standard First Aid, CPR Training, WHMIS and three electives specific to the Arts and Culture sector
- Experiential Learning Opportunities:
- Job-shadowing, job-twinning, work experience
- Minimum of 2 Cooperative Education credits linked to the major
- Field trips, other workplace experiences for students to explore careers related to that sector
- Documentation of Essential Skills and Work Habits through the Ontario Skills Passport
- Reach Ahead Experiences: In the field and sectors considered as a post-secondary destination, ranging from a few hours to full courses (dual credit programs)
- Students can complete the SHSM program to prepare them for their pathway to any of the four post-secondary destinations, apprenticeship, college, university and work
Programs & Locations
Process:
To learn more about the process or to start the process you can download the following document. This document is designed to help you through the process of being accepted into a SHSM program.
Downloads:
You may also pick up a complete package from the School to Career Guidance contact at your present school to book a visit or interview.
For the name of the School to Career Contact at your school go to our Contact Us page.