The SHSM–Food Processing 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 the manufacturing processes used in food production or the science of food processing. Schools may choose to provide a particular choice of focus aligned to the particular pathway the student is pursuing, e.g., the manufacturing processes focus may be more appropriate to a student pursing an apprenticeship pathway, while a student pursing a university pathway may be more interested in a food science focus. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Required Components for the SHSM–Food Processing

The SHSM–Food Processing has the following five required components:

1. A bundle of nine Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits

These credits make up the bundle:

  • four food processing 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);
  • three other required credits from the Ontario curriculum. Schools may commit to including a contextualized learning activity (CLA) for the food processing sector in each of the three 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.) The three credits include:
    • one in English;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);
  • 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 1 1 1 1
Mathematics may include a CLA 1 1 1 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 9 9 9 9

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.

Four (4) compulsory

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C – includes automated external defibrillation (AED)
  • Food Safety Level 1
  • Standard First Aid
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) – generic (i.e., not site-specific) instruction

Three (3) electives from the list below

  • advanced training in a technique (e.g., vacuum packaging, specific equipment maintenance, cold processing)
  • anti-oppression and allyship training
  • chemical handling
  • customer service
  • employee empowerment training
  • fire safety and fire extinguisher use
  • Food Handler Certification
  • health and safety – basic
  • inventory control
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • personal protective equipment – food processing
  • project management
  • safe lifting practices
  • specialized business program/competition (e.g., Junior Achievement Company Program, Summer Company Program)
  • supply chain management
  • waste management
  • advanced training in a technology
  • basic electrical safety
  • cleaning and sanitation in food processing
  • dietary considerations
  • event coordination
  • first aid/CPR/AED awareness
  • hand tools and their uses
  • infection control
  • leadership skills
  • lockout/tagging
  • portfolio development
  • quality management (ISO)
  • sector-specific vehicle operation and safety
  • statistical process control (SPC)
  • transportation of dangerous goods

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 food processing sector (an example of job twinning)
  • a day-long observation of a skilled tradesperson in the food processing sector (an example of job shadowing)
  • a one- or two-week work experience with a member of an industry association or a professional in the sector (an example of work experience)
  • participation in a local, provincial, or national Skills Canada competition
  • a tour of a food processing company
  • attendance at a food processing trade show, conference, or job fair
  • attendance at demonstrations and hands-on activities presented by food processing companies

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–Food Processing

See the table illustrating the four pathways and required credits leading to completion of this SHSM.

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 pathways that have a technological education focus. The course provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of technologies, including manufacturing technology and hospitality and tourism 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.

Specialization (Grades 11 and 12)

Students acquire the sector-specific knowledge and technical skills required to earn their Ontario Secondary School diploma (OSSD) with an SHSM–Food Processing 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.

Food processing sector representatives have identified knowledge of basic business practices and food science, depending upon the focus, as important for students as they prepare for careers in this sector.

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–Food Processing

This template shows program requirements for the SHSM–Food Processing 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–Food Processing.

  • Shaded boxes represent required credits in the bundle for the SHSM–Food Processing.
  • (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)
1 English credit (C)*
(in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
1 math credit (C)*
(in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
1 math credit (C)*
(in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
1 math credit (C)*
(in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
1 math credit (C)*
(in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
1 science credit* or business studies credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted.
1 science credit* or business studies credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted.
1 science credit* or business studies credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
A cooperative education credit related to the sector may be substituted.
1 science credit* or business studies credit* (in either Gr. 11 or Gr. 12)
4 food processing 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 food processing 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 food processing 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 food processing 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 the CLA may be offered in either grade.)

** 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 Food Processing Sector

The following table provides examples of occupations in the food processing 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

  • Bakers 6332
  • Butchers, meat cutters, and fishmongers – retail and wholesale 6331
  • Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 7311
  • Industrial electricians 7242
  • Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing 9461

College

  • Biological technologists and technicians 2221
  • Chemical technologists and technicians 2211
  • Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians 2233
  • Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing 9461

University

  • Biologists and related scientists 2121
  • Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants 4163
  • Dietitians and nutritionists 3132
  • Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety 2263
  • Supervisors, food and beverage processing 9213

Workplace

  • Labourers in food and beverage processing 9617
  • Material handlers 7452
  • Process control and machine operators, food and beverage processing 9461

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 Food Processing Sector

The following are examples of programs and training related to careers in the food processing sector and the accreditations associated with each.

Apprenticeship Training
Electrician Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
General Machinist Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Industrial Mechanic Millwright Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Process Operator-Food Processing Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Retail Meat Cutter Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Baker Certificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Colleges
Industrial Engineering Technology Management Diploma
Industrial Management Diploma
Integrated Manufacturing Systems Diploma
Manufacturing Engineering Technology Diploma
Manufacturing Management Diploma
Mechanical Engineering Technician Diploma
Mechanical Engineering Technology Diploma
Process Automation Bachelor of Applied Technology
University
Food Scientist Bachelor's degree
Registered Dietician Bachelor's degree
Industrial Engineering Bachelor's degree
Industrial Engineering with a Food Processing
Engineering Option
Bachelor's degree
Manufacturing Engineering Bachelor's degree
Manufacturing Engineering and Management Bachelor's degree
Mechanical Engineering – Food processing, Controls, Automation, and Robotics Bachelor's degree
Training for the Workplace
Manufacturing Techniques Certificate
Mechanical Techniques – Manufacturing Certificate
Safe Food Handling Certificate
LEAN Manufacturing Certificate
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
Quality Management
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.