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NCDSB Logo  Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School  •  460 Linwell Road, St. Catharines, ON L2M 2P9   •  905-937-6446

Student Services

Specialist High Skills Major

The SHSM program allows students the opportunity to focus their learning on a specific area or industry. If the student is successful in meeting the SHSM requirements a special designation is awarded on their Ontario Secondary Diploma. The areas or sectors currently offered at Holy Cross are:

  • Arts and Culture
  • Construction
  • Health and Wellness
  • Horticulture/Landscaping
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Non-Profit
  • Transportation (Automotive)

The SHSM program offers students the opportunity to acquire the skills and expertise that will assist them in all four of the post-secondary pathways- apprenticeship, college, university and workplace. The components are area/industry specific but include required “bundled credits”, two cooperative education credits in that area, sector recognized certifications and / or training sessions, area specific “reach ahead” experiences and the earning of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP).

See https://www.ontario.ca/page/specialist-high-skills-major for more information from the Ministry of Education of Ontario.