The SHSM–Non-profit enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or a position in the workplace. Students will develop skills in the areas of problem solving, analysis, communication, cooperation, ethical values, consciousness, and citizenship. 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 international development or community action. This focus is achieved through the selection of the four major credits in the bundle.

Required Components for the SHSM–Non-profit

The SHSM–Non-profit has the following five required components:

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

These credits make up the bundle:

  • four non-profit 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 non-profit 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

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)
  • ethical considerations
  • 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
  • anti-oppression and allyship training
  • communication skills
  • conflict resolution
  • environmental awareness
  • event coordination
  • fundraising
  • incident management
  • leadership skills
  • mental health awareness*
  • non-violent crisis intervention
  • portfolio development
  • proposal/grant writing
  • self-defence
  • successful exhibiting
  • advanced training in a technology
  • behavior management
  • compass/map/global positioning system (GPS)
  • customer service
  • equity and inclusion
  • first aid/CPR/AED awareness
  • group dynamics
  • infection control
  • legal/administrative procedures
  • Mental Health First Aid
  • personality inventory
  • project management
  • sector-specific software 1
  • social media networking
  • wilderness first aid

* approved by and delivered under the direction of the school board's Mental Health Leader

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 non-profit sector (an example of job twinning)
  • a day-long observation of an employee in the non-profit 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 non-profit sector (an example of work experience)
  • a volunteer experience with a non-profit organization or for a special event in the school or community
  • organization of an awareness or fundraising initiative in the school or community
  • attendance at a conference or a workshop presented by a non-profit organization

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–Non-profit

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:

  • Introduction to Business: This Grade 9 or 10 course provides students with opportunities to explore a variety of business topics by engaging in activities related to them.
  • Information and Communication Technology in Business: Expectations in this Grade 9 or 10 course build a foundation of digital literacy skills that are needed in the sector
  • Communications Technology (TGJ2O): This course provides students with opportunities to gain a better understanding of the communication and media skills required in this sector
  • 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.
  • Civics (compulsory): This Grade 10 course enables students to explore what it means to be an informed, participating citizen in a democratic society. Students learn about the elements of democracy in local, national, and global contexts.

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–Non-profit 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.

Program Pathways: SHSM–Non-Profit

This template shows program requirements for the SHSM–Non-profit 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–Non-profit.

  • Shaded boxes represent required credits in the bundle for the SHSM-Non-profit.
  • (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-Non-Profit
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 non-profit 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 non-profit 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 non-profit 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 non-profit 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 Non-profit Sector

The following table provides examples of occupations in the non-profit 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

  • Conference and event planners 1226
  • Early childhood educators 4214
  • Educational assistants 4413
  • Social and community service workers 4212

College

  • Accounting technicians and bookkeepers 1311
  • Administrative officers 1221
  • Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants 4163
  • Facility operation and maintenance managers 0714
  • Human resources professionals 1121
  • Instructors of persons with disabilities 4215
  • Other administrative services managers 0114
  • Other business services managers 0125
  • Social policy researchers, consultants, and program officers 4164

University

  • Authors and writers 5121
  • Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants 4163
  • Elementary school and kindergarden school teachers 4032
  • Managers in social, community, and correctional services 0423
  • Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations 1123
  • Secondary school teachers 4031
  • Social policy researchers, consultants, and program officers 4164

Workplace

  • Conference and event planners 1226
  • General office support workers 1411
  • Other administrative services managers 0114
  • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness 5254
  • Receptionists 1414
  • Social and community service workers 4212

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 Non-profit Sector

The following are examples of programs and training related to careers in the non-profit sector and the accreditations associated with each.

Apprenticeship Training
Conference and Event PlannerCertificate of apprenticeship/certificate of qualification
College
Community and Justice ServicesDiploma
Event ManagementGraduate certificate
Fundraising and Resource ManagementGraduate certificate
Human ResourcesDiploma
International Support WorkerGraduate certificate
Native Studies: Community and Social DevelopmentDiploma
Peace and Conflict StudiesDiploma
Project ManagementGraduate certificate
Public RelationsDiploma/Graduate certificate
Special Events PlannerDiploma
University
Conflict StudiesBachelor's degree
Economics – DevelopmentBachelor's degree
Environmental EthicsBachelor's degree
EthicsBachelor's degree
First Nation StudiesBachelor's degree
Globalization StudiesBachelor's degree
Human Rights and Equity StudiesBachelor's degree
HumanitiesBachelor's degree
Indigenous StudiesBachelor's degree
International AffairsBachelor's degree
International Development StudiesBachelor's degree
International StudiesBachelor's degree
Native StudiesBachelor's degree
Natural Resource ManagementBachelor's degree
Peace and Conflict StudiesBachelor's degree
Public AffairsBachelor's degree
Social InequalityBachelor's degree
Social Justice and Peace StudiesBachelor's degree
Social PolicyBachelor's degree
Sustainable DevelopmentBachelor's degree
Training for the Workplace
CoachingCertificate
Customer ServiceCertificate
FundraisingCertificate
International DevelopmentCertificate
Making Ethical DecisionsCertificate
Management/LeadershipCertificate
Public SpeakingCertificate

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.