Bishop Alexander Carter C.S.S.
 Academic Programs

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Purpose and Goals

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs bundles of 8-10 courses that allow students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while getting their high school diploma. Specialist High Skills Majors let students in Grades 11 and 12 focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Program Description

Bishop Alexander Carter offers 4 Specialist High-Skills Major Programs:

Green Industries:

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized program where secondary school students focus their learning on a specific area of study, in this case, green industries. The Green Industries program at Bishop Alexander Carter is an exciting technological education program filled with creative, active and hands-on projects.

Students in the green industries SHSM take courses in high school that are focused on sector-specific knowledge and skills. Students in this program learn about ornamental and agricultural plants, trees, forests and also landscaping. Greenhouse plant production, design projects and the use of landscape industry software applications challenge students to be imaginative and analytical thinkers. Students learn a wide range of landscape maintenance to provide a foundation for future education or the entry into the workforce. Students wishing to pursue advance training and certifications for the Green Industries sector can apply for the Horticulture and Landscaping Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM). In the SHSM course, students also earn certifications and complete specific training programs and two cooperative education credits that refine, extend, apply and practise their skills in the green industries (horticulture) sector.

Students in high school taking the green industries SHSM could be interested in a variety of careers at every different educational level, including:

  • Horticultural Technician/ Horticultualist
  • Arborist
  • Landscape Technologist/Architect
  • Parks Operations Manager
  • Biologist
  • Botanist
  • Gardener
  • Tree Service Technician
  • Lawn and Garden Retail Salesperson
  • Environmental and Occupational

Health and Wellness:
Kinesiologist, child care worker, audiologist, fitness instructor, doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, youth worker are only some of the occupations our Health and Wellness program can guide you towards. Students will receive certifications in such things as: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR Level C), Standard First Aid, Personal Training, Athletic Taping, Customer Service. Did you know: According to Health Canada, the Health and Wellness sector is the nation’s third largest employer after manufacturing and the retail trade.

Information and Communication Technology:
This program addresses a number of computer applications such as 3-D graphics and animation, graphic design, web development, special effects and film production.  Students are able to gain work experience through Co-op opportunities and acquire additional training and certifications.

Manufacturing (focus on robotics and control system design):
This program provides students with a strong foundation for a wide variety of careers in the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing industry is committed to addressing skills, development, labour market and human resource issues across the sector of robotics and control system design and technician.

 


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