SHSM Programs

Specialist High Skills Major Programs allow students to focus on a sector or area that interests them for their final 2 years of secondary school. These programs target all students, as programming may lead to university, college, apprenticeships and the workforce.

White Oaks offers Specialist High Skills Major program in:

GREEN INDUSTRIES: URBAN PLANNING, HORTICULTURE & LANDSCAPING

The Green Industries: Urban Planning, Horticulture & Landscaping Specialist High Skills Major Program provides students with the opportunity to investigate the entire Green Industries sector and develop skills that are in demand for the fields' employers, educators and concerned public.

Potential careers that can be pursued following this schooling include: Landscape Architect, Urban Planner, Small Business Operator (ie. Design/Build Landscaping Company Owner), Arborist, Irrigation Specialist, Herbicide/Fungicide/Pesticide applicator or Golf Course Groundskeeper and many more.

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Health and Wellness SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Health and Wellness SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:

  • Steve Shortly, Department Head, Healthy Active Living and Athletics (shortlys@hdsb.ca)

MOTIVE POWER: ENGINEERING, DESIGN & MAINTENANCE

The Motive Power: Engineering, Design & Maintenance Specialist High Skills Major Program provides students with the opportunity to learn and work across the full range of the Motive Power Sector.

This learning can prepare you for potential careers as: a Small Business Owner (Garage or Repair Shop), an Automotive Mechanic, an Automotive Design Engineer, a Service Department Manager, an Automotive Salesperson, a Truck and Coach Mechanic and a Marine and Small Engines Mechanic.

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Transportation SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Transportation SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:

ARTS & CULTURE SPECIALIST HIGH SKILLS MAJOR PROGRAM

The Arts & Culture Specialist High Skills Major Program provides students with the opportunity to learn and work across the full range of the Arts sector.

In a world where computers are replacing human workers, all signs point to a future where creativity will be increasingly important. The Arts & Culture SHSM program can prepare you for potential careers such as: a designer, an artist, a musician, an actor, a curator, an audio/visual technician, a photographer, a publicist, an author, a stage manager, etc ...

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Arts and Culture SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Arts and Culture SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:



BUSINESS

The in-class portion of the SHSM will involve completing specific courses related to this field. The Business SHSM Planner will help you decide which courses to take. Once you've decided to apply for the SHSM, complete the Business SHSM Consent Form and meet with one of the SHSM Leads listed below.

For further program information please contact:

  • Frank Hurley, Business/Business SHSM Lead/Deca Advisor, hurleyf@hdsb.ca

  • Christine Ivey, Business/IB Economics/Business SHSM Lead/ Deca Advisor/Coach Girls Rugby, iveyc@hdsb.ca

  • Rav Bhathal, Business/IB Economics/Business SHSM Lead, bhathalr@hdsb.ca