Construction
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.
Required Components for the SHSM–Construction
The SHSM–Construction has the following five required components:
1. A bundle of 10 Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits
These credits make up the bundle:
- four construction major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills. The four courses must include at least one Grade 11 and one Grade 12 credit, and may include one cooperative education credit related to the sector. (This cooperative education credit would be additional to the two that are required in the bundle; see below);
- four other required credits from the Ontario curriculum. Schools may commit to including a contextualized learning activity (CLA) for the construction sector in each of the four credits. In each credit, some of the course expectations are then met through the CLA. (Schools that do not formally commit to including CLAs are still free to offer them in one or more of the credits.)
For the apprenticeship training, college, and university pathways, the four credits include:
- one in English;
footnote 1 - two in mathematics (one credit must be in Grade 12); and
- one in science or business studies (or a cooperative education credit related to the sector, which would be additional to the two cooperative education credits required in the bundle; see below);
For the workplace pathway, the four credits include:
- two in English (one credit must be in Grade 12);
footnote 1 - one in mathematics; and
- one in science or business studies (or a cooperative education credit related to the sector, which would be additional to the two cooperative education credits required in the bundle; see below);
- one in English;
- two cooperative education credits that provide authentic learning experiences in a workplace setting, enabling students to refine, extend, apply, and practise knowledge and skills outlined in the cooperative education curriculum as well as sector-specific knowledge and skills.
Credits | Apprenticeship Training Grades 11–12 | College Grades 11–12 | University Grades 11–12 | Workplace Grades 11–12 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Major Credits One credit may be substituted with a cooperative education credit (additional to the 2 required co-op credits) | 4 Including at least one Gr. 11 and one Gr. 12 credit | 4 Including at least one Gr. 11 and one Gr. 12 credit | 4 Including at least one Gr. 11 and one Gr. 12 credit | 4 Including at least one Gr. 11 and one Gr. 12 credit |
English may include a CLA in each credit | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 One credit must be in Gr. 12 |
Mathematics may include a CLA in each credit | 2 One credit must be in Gr. 12 | 2 One credit must be in Gr. 12 | 2 One credit must be in Gr. 12 | 1 |
Business Studies or Science may include a CLA May be substituted with 1 cooperative education credit (additional to the 2 required co-op credits) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Cooperative Education | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Total number of credits | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Note: Multiple credits in the Ontario technological education curriculum allow additional instructional time for the practice and refinement of skills needed to develop student performance to the levels required for certification, entry into apprenticeship programs, or participation in school–work transition programs (see The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Technological Education, 2009, page 17).
2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs
This SHSM sector requires students to complete a specified number of compulsory and elective sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs, as indicated in the following table. NOTE: Where an item in the table is capitalized, it is the proper name of the specific certification or training course/program that is appropriate for the SHSM. Where an item is lowercased, it is the name of an area, type, or category of training for which specific certifications or training courses/programs should be selected by the school or board. The requirements are summarized in the table below.
Five (5) compulsory
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C – includes automated external defibrillation (AED)
- Standard First Aid
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) – generic (i.e., not site-specific) instruction
- health and safety – basic
- Working at Heights
Two (2) electives from the list below
- advanced training in a technique
- anti-oppression and allyship training
- Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB) – flat
- computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
- customer service
- energy efficiency training (e.g., Energy Star, LEED)
- fire safety and fire extinguisher use
- hoisting and rigging
- insulated concrete forming
- leadership skills
- ozone-depletion prevention
- powder-actuated tools
- propane in construction
- sector specific software 1
- specialized skills training program/competition (e.g., Skills Canada provincial level, WoodLINKS)
- traffic control
- advanced training in a technology
- basic electrical safety
- chainsaw safety
- confined space awareness
- elevated work platforms
- fall protection
- first aid/CPR/AED awareness
- infection control
- land surveying basics
- lockout/tagging
- portfolio development
- project management
- scaffold safety
- sector-specific vehicle operation and safety
- suspended access equipment
- trenching safety
3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities
Experiential learning and career exploration opportunities relevant to the sector might include the following:
- one-on-one observation of a cooperative education student at a placement in the construction sector (an example of job twinning)
- a day-long observation of a skilled tradesperson in the construction sector (an example of job shadowing)
- a one- or two-week work experience with an individual employed in the construction sector (an example of work experience)
- participation in a local, provincial, or national Skills Canada competition
- a tour of a municipal planning department
- attendance at a construction sector trade show, conference, or job fair
- a volunteer experience with a non-profit organization such as Habitat for Humanity
4. Reach ahead experiences
Students are provided one or more reach ahead experiences – opportunities to take the next steps along their chosen pathway – as shown in the following examples:
- Apprenticeship: visiting an approved apprenticeship delivery agent in the sector
- College: interviewing a college student enrolled in a sector-specific program
- University: observing a university class in a sector-related program
- Workplace: interviewing an employee in the sector
5. Sector-partnered experiences (SPEs)
Students engage with a sector partner and apply skills to gain insight into the relationship between this sector and ICE (innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship), coding, and/or mathematical literacy.
Pathways for the SHSM–Construction
Awareness building (Grades 7 and 8)
See Section B3.4 for information on building awareness of SHSM programs among students in Grades 7 and 8.
Exploration (Grades 9 and 10)
See Section B3.4 for information on providing Grade 9 and 10 students with opportunities for exploration of SHSM programs. In addition, students considering this SHSM can be encouraged to enrol in the following courses to become better informed about careers and postsecondary options in the sector:
- Exploring Technologies: This Grade 9 course is recommended for all students following SHSM pathways that have a technological education focus. The course provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of technologies, including construction technology, by engaging in activities related to them.
- Career Studies (compulsory) and Discovering the Workplace: Some of the expectations in these Grade 10 courses provide opportunities for students to explore occupations and other postsecondary options in the sector and to participate in experiential learning activities.
- Construction Technology: This course is recommended for any Grade 10 student who is considering enrolling in an SHSM–Construction program.
Specialization (Grades 11 and 12)
Students acquire the sector-specific knowledge and skills required to earn their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with an SHSM–Construction by completing its five required components. Students and their parents/guardians are encouraged to consult with guidance counsellors and teachers to select the courses that will enable students to pursue their goals.
Students pursuing an apprenticeship pathway should consider the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), which enables them to start an apprenticeship while earning their OSSD.
Students pursuing a university pathway are advised to complete their required cooperative education credits in Grade 11, in order to allow room in their timetables in Grade 12 for credits needed to meet university entrance requirements.
When helping students plan their SHSMs, particularly with respect to the selection of courses to fulfil the requirement for credits in the major, teachers should bear in mind that technological education courses can be offered as single-credit or multiple-credit courses.
Program Pathways: SHSM–Construction
This template shows program requirements for the SHSM–Construction in Grades 11 and 12, along with some of the additional credits needed for an OSSD. It is provided to help guide students in choosing the credits they need to meet the SHSM requirements in the pathway of their choice. Students should always review their pathways plan with their parents/guardians and their teachers to ensure that they have all the credits they need to graduate with an SHSM–Construction.
- Shaded boxes represent required credits in the bundle for the SHSM–Construction.
- (C) represents a compulsory credit for the OSSD.
- The SHSM bundle of credits must include two cooperative education credits, but may include a maximum of four. The possible options are noted below, and explained fully in Section A1.2 of this guide.
Apprenticeship Training Pathway Specialization Grades 11–12 | College Pathway Specialization Grades 11–12 | University Pathway Specialization Grades 11–12 | Workplace Pathway Specialization Grades 11–12 |
---|---|---|---|
1 English credit (C)* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) | 1 English credit (C)* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) | 1 English credit (C)* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) | 2 English credit (C)* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) |
2 math credits (C)* (One credit must be in Gr. 12) | 2 math credits (C)* (One credit must be in Gr. 12) | 2 math credits (C)* (One credit must be in Gr. 12) | 1 math credit (C)* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) |
1 business studies* or science credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted. | 1 business studies* or science credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted. | 1 business studies* or science credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted. | 1 business studies* or science credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted. |
4 construction major credits (including a Gr. 11 and a Gr. 12 credit) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted for one of these four credits. | 4 construction major credits (including a Gr. 11 and a Gr. 12 credit) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted for one of these four credits. | 4 construction major credits (including a Gr. 11 and a Gr. 12 credit) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted for one of these four credits. | 4 construction major credits (including a Gr. 11 and a Gr. 12 credit) A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted for one of these four credits. |
2 cooperative education credits related to the sector (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)** May be used as (C) credits | 2 cooperative education credits related to the sector (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)** May be used as (C) credits | 2 cooperative education credits related to the sector (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)** May be used as (C) credits | 2 cooperative education credits related to the sector (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)** May be used as (C) credits |
2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 11) | 2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 11) | 2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 11) | 2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 11) |
2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 12) | 2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 12) | 2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 12) | 2 optional or compulsory credits (Gr. 12) |
* A contextualized learning activity (CLA) must be included in the course in schools that have committed to offering CLAs (see “Other Required Credits” in section A1.2). (Note that students must take Grade 11 and Grade 12 English to graduate with an OSSD, but for the apprenticeship training, college, and university pathways, the CLA may be offered in either grade. Also for those pathways, both math credits must include a CLA. For the workplace pathway, both English credits must include a CLA.)
** May be taken the summer before Grade 11
Note: To guide students and teachers in the development of their SHSM program, schools can access the latest approved SHSM course list for each sector through their SHSM board lead.
Occupations in the Construction Sector
The following table provides examples of occupations in the construction sector, with corresponding National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, sorted according to the type of postsecondary education or training the occupations would normally require.
Apprenticeship Training
- Bricklayers 7281
- Carpenters 7271
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 7311
- Electricians (except industrial and power system) 7241
- Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics 7313
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) 7294
- Plumbers 7251
- Roofers and shinglers 7291
College
- Architectural technologists and technicians 2251
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians 2231
- Construction estimators 2234
- Construction inspectors 2264
- Construction managers 0711
- Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades, and telecommunications occupations 7202
- Home building and renovation managers 0712
- Interior designers and interior decorators 5242
University
- Architects 2151
- Civil engineers 2131
- Electrical and electronics engineers 2133
- Mechanical engineers 2132
Workplace
- Concrete finishers 7282
- Construction trades helpers and labourers 7611
- Home building and renovation managers 0712
Note: This information is based on the 2016 NOC. An update to the NOC in 2016 resulted in changes to the codes and titles for some occupations, and in some cases to the occupations included in the group. For more detail, refer to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) web page, Ontario's Labour Market (https://www.ontario.ca/page/labour-market). (Note also that some of the names of occupations listed here reflect common usage in the sector and may differ slightly from those used in the NOC system.)
Postsecondary Programs and Training in the Construction Sector
The following are examples of programs and training related to careers in the construction sector and the accreditations associated with each.
Brick and Stone Mason | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
---|---|
Concrete Finisher | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Construction and Maintenance Electrician | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Construction Craft Worker | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Construction Millwright | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Drywall, Acoustic, and Lathing Applicator | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
General Carpenter | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Plumber | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Sheet Metal Worker | Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification |
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Technician | Diploma |
---|---|
Applied Technology – Construction and Environment: Regulations and Compliance | Bachelor's degree |
Applied Technology – Construction Science and Management | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural Technician | Diploma |
Architectural Technology | Advanced diploma |
Building Inspection Technician | Diploma |
Construction Engineering Technology | Advanced diploma |
Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial | Diploma |
Electrical Power Generation | Diploma |
Electrical Techniques | Diploma |
Fire Protection Engineering Technician | Diploma |
Civil Engineering | Bachelor's degree, honours |
---|---|
Electrical Engineering | Bachelor's degree, honours |
Industrial Engineering | Bachelor's degree, honours |
Mechanical Engineering | Bachelor's degree, honours |
Construction Techniques | Certificate |
---|---|
Gas Metal Arc Welding | Certificate |
Mechanical Techniques – Construction | Certificate |
Mechanical Techniques – CNC/CAD/CAM Specialist | Certificate |
Mechanical Techniques – Design | Certificate |
Welding Techniques | Certificate |
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Note that a compulsory English credit is required in Grade 11 and in Grade 12 for graduation with an OSSD. Schools may determine whether the CLA, if offered, is completed in the Grade 11 or Grade 12 English course.