8 minute read
Eastern Ontario School Boards
Pathway to Success
How the SHSM program introduces students and industry partners to possibilities
BY CHRISTINE D. LeBLANC
What do you want to be when you grow up?
It’s a big question, and it becomes particularly important as students approach their final years of high school. At the same time, where to find a qualified workforce is an important question for industry. A provincial program supported by the Ministry of Education, delivered through school boards and local high schools, helps both the future employee and employer.
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program allows students to tailor their high school experience to their interests and individual learning styles. Students can focus their learning on a specific sector in the workforce while getting the credits they need to graduate, then receive the SHSM designation on their diploma. The program also helps them transition to employment, apprenticeship, college or university after graduation.
“I really see the heartbeat of SHSM is having these authentic opportunities with industry partners. It also helps us support teachers in a new way of delivering curriculum, without it being just about the textbooks,” says Lydia Hamilton, SHSM board lead for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the co-chair of the Eastern Regional SHSM Board Leads.
The 19 sectors available include manufacturing, construction and food processing. SHSM helps students gain industryrecognized certifications and training relevant to their future careers. Whether students are heading towards the workplace, an apprenticeship, college or university, the SHSM program helps them customize their high school experience so they can explore and get a hands-on taste of their options.
The Ottawa Catholic School Board has manufacturing programs at All Saints and Notre Dame high schools. As All Saints student Connor Lynch says, “SHSM will help me plan my future career because it brings the opportunity to do co-op placements. These placements give students a chance to find a job that is right for them. Micah Hurley from All Saints High School learning glass blowing skills at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories
I’m hoping to do my co-op over the summer in the trades. As I explore manufacturing, I’m learning what interests me and what doesn’t, which will help me make decisions later in life.”
Journey to a career
Even if students choose not to pursue their choice, it’s an easier, quicker and less expensive way to explore their options than enrolling in a post-secondary program, for example. Those who do continue are more likely to complete college or university, because they know it’s what they want to do.
“A career path is not what it used to be,” Hamilton says, when the goal was to get a good job and stay at one company for life. Instead, people are evolving and crossing sectors. “It’s not always a straight road, it’s more of a journey,” she says, and students see that.
Students going home and sharing their experiences with their parents helps both generations see there are many ways to live and make a career. Parents may encourage traditional roles like doctor or lawyer, but with SHSM they are introduced to a great range of opportunities that can be just as beneficial and lucrative for their children.
The SHSM program focuses on experiential learning combined with developing a mindset suitable for 21st century careers. The program fosters design thinking, showing students how to go from an idea to a complete product and beyond. It’s that kind of thinking, Hamilton says, that inspires business and innovation. “We need creative problemsolvers.”
Manufacturers of the future
Manufacturers may not have considered that “students are the consumers and workforce of the future,” she says. Stu-
dents can bring fresh eyes and ideas, offering creative ways to approach a problem or a challenge offered by their industry partners.
“Manufacturing really crosses all sectors, from food to metal and everything in between. We need to expand the definition.”
LYDIA HAMILTON, OCDSB SHSM BOARD LEAD, EASTERN REGIONAL SHSM BOARD LEADS CO-CHAIR
Meanwhile, students get to see how school translates to the real world and they discover there can be purpose to their lessons. As part of their course work, students have to complete lessons on either coding, math literacy or innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship (ICE).
In the construction stream, for example, students may be asked to use math to calculate the rise, run and length of roof rafters. That shows them a direct link between their schoolwork and the real-world applications.
SHSM enables students to obtain sectorrecognized certifications and complete training courses that can be expensive to get on their own, outside of the program. Mandatory courses are first aid, CPR and workplace hazardous materials information systems (WHMIS). Students have to take three additional certifications of their choice, ranging from basic electrical safety and elevated work platforms, to fall protection, welding, computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and sector-specific vehicle operation and safety.
A definite advantage
Having these certifications definitely gives students an advantage. Companies like that they’re already a step ahead, and don’t need the additional time or training to get up to speed.
“We’ve had construction students hired over the phone just based on the certifications they’ve received,” Hamilton says.
The co-op portion of the program starts with some in-class work on resumés and interview skills, then students are matched with employers based on their interests. They report to work instead of school, and have a set number of hours and assignments to complete, before returning to class to share their experiences. Industry partners provide the school with reports as well. The program is customized for each student and company, depending on interest and need.
For students interested in going onto an apprenticeship after high school, they may even be able to complete their first level by graduation.
SHSM is available through all 14 school boards in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario area, whether public, Catholic, English or French. In the Eastern Ontario region, there are 14 manufacturing programs and 42 construction programs.
If teachers and principals detect student interest, their school can apply to the provincial ministry for the program. While every school board in Ontario can offer the program, each is unique to area needs, from student interests to the mix of local industry partners.
While the pandemic has presented its challenges in delivering the program, particularly the hands-on aspects of a co-op placement, SHSM opportunities are still available for those who are interested. There are multiple ways for a company to get involved as an industry partner, from speaking to students and mentoring a group through a problemsolving process, all the way up to offering a co-op placement, either virtually or in person as COVID restrictions allow.
The Teachers’ Perspective:
All Saints manufacturing teacher Paul McDonough feels that community partners play a crucial role in making the SHSM programs relevant, and industry connections make all the difference. Manufacturers dealing with a lack of skilled workers benefit from the program just as much as students do. As McDonough says, “The employers get some of the most prepared and brightest minds coming out of high school who have corporate experience, which is very valuable. An employer can train them in skills, but if a student has work experience in an industry, they have a better understanding of what makes someone a better employee.” It’s those connections that make Scott Pemberton say that in his 22 years of teaching, the SHSM program stands out as the best opportunity students have to feel confident moving forward with a future career. Pemberton, head of engineering and technology at Earl of March Secondary School, says after their co-op placements, students come back excited about participating in the workforce. The program helps students make contacts in industry, get references for summer jobs and gives them a “jump start” on their careers. “Anything we can do to make careers more three dimensional, instead of students just reading about it, is a good thing,” he says. “They get to experience it, they get some training; it makes it very real.” “The SHSM program helps kids make better choices.” He has a special message for female students who may not consider manufacturing to be a welcoming or appropriate choice for themselves: “Don’t put limitations on yourself.” He says industry would be served better if female students saw all the options they have.
Career Options For Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Students
Whether you're heading into the workforce, an apprenticeship, college or university, SHSM can help you along your chosen career path. Here are a few examples of occupations in manufacturing you might consider.
College Chemical, industrial, mechanical, electrical and electronics technologists and technicians; purchasing agents and officers; technical sales specialists
KAWARTHA LAKES
Apprenticeship Millwrights and mechanics; machinists and electricians; tool and die makers; welders; metal and platework fabricators and fitters
Workforce Foundry workers; machining tool operators; material handlers; motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers; purchasing and inventory control workers
University Chemical, computer, electrical, electronics, industrial and manufacturing, mechanical, metallurgical and materials engineers
HASTINGS
8
PETERBOROUGH
13 "There's no cost to the student to be in the SHSM program. This provides equitable access across the system for any student interested." DEB LAWLER, OCSB SHSM BOARD LEAD AND EASTERN REGIONAL SHSM BOARD LEADS CO-CHAIR
RENFREW
11, 12
LANARK
4
OTTAWA
2, 3, 5, 6
FRONTENAC
10
LENNOX & ADDINGTON
9
LEEDS & GRENVILLE
7
PRESCOTT & RUSSELL
1
STORMONT DUNDAS & GLENGARRY
7
PRINCE EDWARD
Eastern Ontario Boards Offering SHSM Courses
Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien
csdceo.org
Ottawa Catholic School Board
ocsb.ca/shsm
Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario
cepeo.on.ca
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
cdsbeo.on.ca
Ottawa-Carleton Disctrict School Board
ocdsb.ca/shsm
Écoles Catholiques du Centre-Est
ecolecatholique.ca
Upper Canada District School Board
ucdsb.on.ca
8 Hastings And Prince Edward District School Board
hpedsb.on.ca
alcdsb.on.ca
10 Limestone District School Board
limestone.on.ca
11 Renfrew County District School Board
rcdsb.on.ca
12 Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
rccdsb.edu.on.ca
13 Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
