This guide is for school and school board staff who are planning and delivering SHSM programs.

Components of an SHSM

Each SHSM has 5 required components.

  1. Bundle of credits  —  is a specific group of 8 to 10 credits made up of Grade 11, Grade 12 and cooperative education credits. Each bundle is tailored to a specific SHSM sector and student pathway.
  2. Certification and training experiences  — consist of certifications and/or training courses that are specific to each SHSM sector.
  3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities — include a variety of planned learning activities that take place outside the traditional classroom setting, for example, job shadowing and virtual work experience.
  4. Reach ahead experiences — are learning experiences connected with a student's postsecondary plans.
  5. Sector-partnered experiences (SPEs) — are when students gain specific skills and knowledge by engaging with a partner organization in their chosen SHSM sector.

Students must successfully complete all 5 required components to earn the SHSM designation on their OSSD.

These required components are designed so that each SHSM:

  • gives students a rich and varied range of curriculum-based and experiential learning experiences
  • provides a quality program that postsecondary education and employer partners value
  • opens doors for graduates

We developed the 5 components in consultation with representatives of:

  • business and industry sectors
  • unions
  • economic sector councils and associations
  • postsecondary educational institutions
  • training organizations
  • school boards
  • other Ontario government ministries

Each SHSM’s program requirements are unique and geared to its specific sector. However, the design of all SHSMs follows the model described here and includes all 5 components.

Read the specific requirements of each SHSM sector.

Other requirements

You must offer your SHSM in all 4 pathways: apprenticeship training, college, university and workplace.

You cannot substitute for any of the required bundle of credits.

Your school board may add to each of the SHSM's components to reflect a local emphasis. For example, they could add additional SPEs or require specific courses as a major credit.

Ministry approvals

You may offer only SHSMs that we (the Ministry of Education) have approved. Find the latest list of approved SHSM programs.

Key terms

Here are some the key terms you will use when describing and planning SHSMs.

Pathway — is the progression of courses a school offers that leads to a postsecondary destination. Each SHSM program should have a pathways chart that shows the groupings of Grade 9 to 12 courses leading to:

  • apprenticeship training
  • college
  • university
  • workplace

Timetable — is a student's selection of courses (for a semester or a year) that leads to earning credits for graduation. Students can select courses and personalize their timetable based on their needs, abilities and interests.