News

Nantyr introduces new high skills programs

June 22, 2010

Secondary school students will have greater access to career-related programs with the addition of eight new Specialist High Skills Major programs in the Simcoe County District School Board.

Currently, the SCDSB offers 29 SHSM programs to over 500 students.

With the addition of the eight new programs, it is expected that over 750 students will be engaged in these specialized learning opportunities.

“We are committed to offering our students as many pathways to success as possible,” says superintendent Steve Blake. “The SHSM programs offer dynamic opportunities for secondary students, allowing them to gain new, careerfocused skills.”

Nantyr Shores Secondary School will introduce two new programs — Horticulture and Landscape and Hospitality and Tourism.

A SHSM is a specialized program approved by the Ministry of Education. It provides students with a bundle of courses, experiential learning activities and industry-recognized certifications that focus on a specific work-related sector. A SHSM enables students to customize their high school experience to suit their interests and talents, and prepare for a successful post-secondary transition to apprenticeship training, college, university, or immediate employment while meeting the requirements of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

The SHSM enables students to gain the sector-identified preparatory experience and knowledge, and make informed career decisions. This makes the learning environment more engaging for students, focuses them on graduation and prepares them to pursue their career goals.

A student may exit the SHSM before completion without jeopardizing progress towards the OSSD, retaining credits and certifications earned up to that point.