Pursuing a SHSM helps students:

• Customize their secondary school education to suit their
interests and talents
• Develop specialized knowledge and skills
• Earn credits recognized by post-secondary institutions
• Gain industry certifications and career-relevant
skills training
• Identify, explore, and refine career goals
• Make informed decisions about their future

How is the Specialist High Skills Major recognized?

Students who successfully complete an SHSM receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with an embossed seal of completion, a SHSM Record documenting the student’s achievement, and a formal recognition on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript.

Key Benefits of a Specialist High Skills Major?

The SHSM program meets the needs, interests, and strengths
of all students. It engages them in learning and better
prepares them for graduation and beyond.

Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the official Microsoft Office certification for desktop productivity and is the leading ICT certification in the world.
Certifications available:
Word Core 2016, Word Expert 2016, Excel Core 2016, Excel Expert 2016, PowerPoint 2016, Outlook 2016, and Access 2016
Word Core 2013, Word Expert 2013, Excel Core 2013, Excel Expert 2013, PowerPoint 2013, Outlook 2013, and Access 2013
Word Core 2010, Word Expert 2010, Excel Core 2010, Excel Expert 2010, PowerPoint 2010, Outlook 2010, and Access 2010

Applicable Streams: Software – Business, Software – Animation, Software – Photography, Software – Manufacturing, Software – Non-Profit, Software – Sports, Information and Communication Technology – Photography, Information and Communication Technology – Software

Microsoft Technology Associate certification is Microsoft’s entry level certification program validating fundamental developer, database and IT professional skills.
Certifications available:
Software Development Fundamentals
HTML5 Application Development Fundamentals
Software Testing Fundamentals
Database Administration Fundamentals
Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
Networking Fundamentals
Security Fundamentals
Windows Mobility and Device Fundamentals
Office 365 Cloud Fundamentals

Applicable Streams: Software – Business, Software – Manufacturing, Software – Non-Profit, Information and Communication Technology – Software, Information and Communication Technology- Computer Hardware, Information and Communication Technology – Internet Security, Information and Communication Technology – Network Cabling, Information and Communication Technology – CISCO Networking, Information and Communication Technology – Network Configuration, Information and Communication Technology – Technical Support, Information and Communication Technology – Equipment Interface

The Entrepreneurship and Small Business certification validates the foundation-level concepts required of a successful entrepreneur. The certification covers starting a business, marketing and sales, financial management, business operations, opportunity recognition, and characteristics of entrepreneurs.
Certifications available:
ESB 2017

Applicable Streams: Software – Business, Software – Non-Profit

Intuit® QuickBooks is the industry leader in managerial accounting software for small business. Intuit QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) validates accounting concepts while honing skills in the most prevalent bookkeeping application in small business.
Certifications available:
QuickBooks Certified User 2015, 2016, 2017

Applicable Streams: Software – Business

Toon Boom Animation is the worldwide leader in animation and storyboard software for professionals and beginners. It is the tool of choice for artist’s creating storyboards digitally. If you have watched an animated movie or television show you have probably experienced the magic of Toon Boom.
Certifications available:
StoryBoard Pro
Harmony Essentials
Harmony Advanced
Harmony Premium

Applicable Streams: Software – Animation, Software – Graphic Arts,

The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) provides both students and job seekers with the foundation of knowledge needed to succeed in environments that require the use of computers and the Internet.
Certifications available:
IC3 GS3 (Win. 7/Office 2010)
IC3 GS4 (Win. 7/Office 2010)
IC3 GS4 (Win. 7/Office 2013)
IC3 GS5 (Win. 7/Office 2013)
IC3 GS5 (Win. 10/ Office 2016)

Applicable Streams: Software – Business, Information and Communication Technology- Computer Hardware, Information and Communication Technology – Internet Security, Information and Communication Technology – Network Cabling, Information and Communication Technology – Network Configuration, Information and Communication Technology – Technical Support, Information and Communication Technology – Equipment Interface

Adobe® software sets the world’s standard in powerful digital design tools. Certified students gain tremendous value and employability as they validate their digital media talents through globally recognized certification.
Certifications available:
Rich Media Communication using Adobe Flash® Professional
Web Communication using Adobe Dreamweaver®
Visual Communication using Adobe Photoshop®
Video Communication using Adobe Premiere® Pro
Graphic Design & Illustration using Adobe Illustrator®
Print & Digital Media Publication using Adobe InDesign®
Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max

Applicable Streams: Software – Animation, Software – Photography, Software – Graphic Arts, Non-Profit – Software, Manufacturing – Software,  Information and Communication Technology- Photography

Autodesk Certified User (ACU) certification confirms students have the skills necessary to continue their design careers — whether they attend college, enter the workforce or work toward additional levels of industry certification after graduation.
Certifications available:
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk Inventor – Imperial
Autodesk Inventor – Metric
Autodesk Revit Architecture – Imperial
Autodesk Revit Architecture – Metric
Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max

Applicable Streams: Software – Animation, Software – Photography, Software – Graphic Arts, Transportation, Business – Software, Manufacturing – Computer – Aided Design and Computer – Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), Manufacturing – Software, Aviation and Aerospace – Aided Design and Computer – Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), Information and Communication Technology- Photography,