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.

Required Components for the SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism

The SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism has the following five required components:

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

These credits make up the bundle:

  • four hospitality and tourism 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 hospitality and tourism 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.
Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits
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

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.

Four (4) compulsory

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

Two (2) electives from the list below

  • advanced training in a technique (e.g., paddling)
  • anti-oppression and allyship training
  • compass/map/global positioning system (GPS)
  • dietary considerations
  • fire safety and fire extinguisher use
  • fishing guide
  • geographic information system (GIS)
  • heritage interpreter
  • infection control
  • leadership skills
  • portfolio development
  • safe food handling – basic
  • spa etiquette
  • ticket agent
  • tourism – basic
  • wilderness survival
  • advanced training in a technology
  • cash handling and register training
  • cook/line cook
  • event coordination
  • first aid/CPR/AED awareness
  • Food Handler Certification
  • guest services
  • housekeeping services
  • introduction to hospitality management
  • life-saving (Bronze Cross or higher)
  • project management
  • Smart Serve
  • spa service
  • tour guide
  • wilderness first aid

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 hospitality and tourism sector (an example of job twinning)
  • a day-long observation of a chef (an example of job shadowing)
  • a one- or two-week placement at a local tourist attraction (an example of work experience)
  • participation in a local, provincial, or national Skills Canada competition
  • attendance at a hospitality sector trade show, conference, or job fair
  • a tour of a tourism or hospitality business
  • assisting at a community competition or event
  • participation in a wilderness survival camp

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–Hospitality and Tourism

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 SHSM pathways that have a technological education focus. The course provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of technologies, including 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.
  • Hospitality and Tourism (TFJ2O): This course is recommended for any Grade 10 student who is considering enrolling in an SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism program.

Specialization (Grades 11 and 12)

Students acquire the sector-specific knowledge and technical skills required to earn their Ontario Secondary Diploma (OSSD) with an SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism 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–Hospitality and Tourism

This template shows program requirements for the SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism 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–Hospitality and Tourism.

  • Shaded boxes represent required credits in the bundle for the SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism.
  • (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.
Program Pathways: SHSM–Hospitality and Tourism
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 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 hospitality and tourism 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 hospitality and tourism 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 hospitality and tourism 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 hospitality and tourism 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 Hospitality and Tourism Sector

The following table provides examples of occupations in the hospitality and tourism 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
  • Chefs 6321
  • Conference and event planners 1226
  • Cooks 6322

College

  • Accommodation service managers 0632
  • Conference and event planners 1226
  • Food service supervisors 6311
  • Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations 1123
  • Restaurant and food service managers 0631
  • Travel counsellors 6521

University

  • Biologists and related scientists 2121
  • Dietitians and nutritionists 3132
  • Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety 2263
  • Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations 1123

Workplace

  • Airline ticket and service agents 6523
  • Executive housekeepers 6312
  • Food and beverage servers 6513
  • Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, and related support occupations 6711
  • Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives, and related clerks 6524
  • Hotel front desk clerks 6525
  • Other customer and information services representatives 6552
  • Other service support occupations 6742
  • Pursers and flight attendants 6522
  • Receptionists 1414
  • Sales and account representatives – wholesale trade (non-technical) 6411
  • Theatre, fashion, exhibit, and other creative designers 5243

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. (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 Hospitality and Tourism Sector

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

Apprenticeship Training
Assistant CookCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
BakerCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
ChefCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
CookCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
PâtissierCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Retail Meat CutterCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
Special Events CoordinatorCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
College
Baking and Pastry ArtsDiploma
ChefDiploma
CookDiploma
Culinary ManagementDiploma
Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant ManagementDiploma
Recreation and Leisure ServicesDiploma
Special Events ManagementDiploma
Tourism and Travel – Adventure and EcotourismDiploma
Tourism Marketing and OperationsDiploma
University
Foods and NutritionBachelor's degree
Hospitality and Tourism ManagementBachelor's degree
Hotel and Food AdministrationBachelor's degree
Nutritional SciencesBachelor's degree
Outdoor Recreation, Parks and TourismBachelor's degree
Tourism and EnvironmentBachelor's degree
Training for the Workplace
Banquet Food and Beverage ServerCertificate
Reservations Sales AgentCertificate

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.