A Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) allows students to customize their secondary learning experience to suit their interests and career expectations wile meeting their graduation requirements.   Students are able to prepare for a successful post-secondary transition to apprenticeship, college, university or employment.  A SHSM lets students gain sector identified preparatory skills and knowledge and make informed career decisions.

Students enter the program in grades 10 or 11 in order to appropriately schedule the required courses.  A student may exit the program before completion without jeopardizing their progress towards their Ontario School Graduation Diploma (OSSD).

The Bluewater District School Board offers the following thirteen SHSM programs:

Agriculture - Chesley District High School

Arts & Culture - West Hill Secondary School

Fashion & Hair Design - West Hill Secondary School

Arts & Culture - Georgian Bay Secondary School

Music & Medi- Georgian Bay Secondary School

Construction - Kincardine District Secondary School

Energy - Saugeen District Secondary School

Environment & Resource Management - Walkerton District Secondary School

Environment - Bruce Peninsula District School

Health & Wellness - Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institue

Horticulture & Landscaping - Grey Highlands Secondary School

Hospitality & Tourism - Peninsula Shores District School

Information & Communications Technology - John Diefenbaker Secondary School

Transportation - John Diefenbaker Secondary School

For more information on any of the above programs please contact Liz Campbell at (519) 363-2014 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board offers the following two SHSM programs:

Health & Wellness - Sacred Heart High School

Health & Wellness - St. Mary's High School

For more information on either of the above programs please visit the Bruce-Grey Catholic DSB website.