PHS Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) in Manufacturing

SHSM – What is it and how does it work? video

Get a jump-start on a possible career​

A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) allows you to focus on a career area that interests you while you earn your high school diploma. No matter what education you plan to pursue after high school—apprenticeship, college, university or workplace training—a Specialist High Skills Major can help you focus on a future career. 

A Specialist High Skills Major in manufacturing offers

  • high school courses in grade 11 and 12 tailored to the career you want to pursue
  • the chance to work with industry leaders and experience cutting-edge training in manufacturing
  • experience working in the sector you’re interested in, while you’re still in high school
  • industry certification
  • recognition on your high school diploma

The manufacturing major includes the following components

  1. In the manufacturing major, you will take nine credits in grade 11 and 12:
    • four manufacturing major credits (PHS Key Course is TMJ3CI)
    • one English credit, two math credits 
    • two co-operative education credits to gain workplace experience that helps you refine, extend and practice your knowledge and skills
    • Review the SHSM Manufacturing Registration Form to see the bundle of courses required for a SHSM in Manufacturing
  2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs (four compulsory and a choice of three electives)
  3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector
  4. Reach ahead experiences connected with the student’s postsecondary plans
  5. Completion of a Sector-Partnered Contextualized Experience

Sector-recognized certification and training​

As part of the manufacturing major, you will earn 6 certifications, including the following 3 that are compulsory:

  • standard first aid
  • CPR, level A
  • hazardous materials – Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS)

Future career paths for manufacturing majors​

For manufacturing majors, possible careers include:

  • apprenticeship – precision machinist, tool and die maker, welder, electrician
  • college – design and drafting technologist, inventory analyst, stationary engineer
  • university – mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, metallurgical engineer
  • entry level workplace – machine operator, foundry worker, inventory clerk

When should students register for this program?

Grade 11 is the time to start, new participants can sign up in Grade 12 as well.  See your guidance counsellor to create a plan when in Grade 10. There are many components of SHSM. Take TCJ34EI and Coop in your Grade 11 or 12 high school year. Expect that your coop placement will be in a Construction related career field. Talk to your guidance counsellor today!