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​​​What is a Specialist High Skills Major Program (SHSM)?

The Cabot Business SHSM is a ministry-approved specialized program that allows students in their final two years of high school to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements to graduate from secondary school.  It also assists in their transition after graduation to apprenticeship training, college, university or the workplace.

Key Benefits of the Cabot Specialist High Skills Major 

Pursuing a SHSM helps students to:

- Customize their secondary school education to suit their interest and talents

- Develop specialized knowledge and skills

- Earn credits that post-secondary educational institutions and the sector recognize

- Gain sector-recognized certification and career-relevant training

- Develop essential skills and work habits documented through the Ontario Skills Passport

- Identify, explore and refine career goals and make informed decisions about their future

- Remain flexible, with the option to shift between pathways, should their goals and plans change

Components of the Cabot Business SHSM 

1.  Bundle of credits 

     A defined bundle of credits consisting of eight to ten Grade 11 and Grade 12 credits, including cooperative education credits.

2.  Certification and training experiences

     Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses

3.  Experiential learning and career exploration activities

     Experiential learning and career exploration activities witin the sector

4.  Reach ahead experiences

     Learning experiences connected with the student's postsecondary plans

5.  Sector-partnered experiences

     Experiences in which students engage with a sector partner to explore sector-related content, skills, and knowledge involving either ICE (Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship), coding, or mathematical literacy.            

Why Join the Cabot SHSM Program?  

At Cabot, we learn by doing! Cabot SHSM students have access to an extensive and diversified network of local, national and global industry partners offering rich experiential learning opportunities, reach-aheads, conferences, simulations, competitions and scholarships.  Below is just a sample of our partner organizations. 

SHSM At A Glance

 Words from our Alumni... 

As a former student in the SHSM program, I can confidently say that it was ultimately the best part of my high school experience at John Cabot. SHSM provided me with countless opportunities to experience the business industry outside of the classroom. The SHSM program exposed me to the endless options in the industry and helped me realize my passions. I would recommend this program to anyone, whether you are going into business or not as the SHSM program at John Cabot sets you up for success and provides you with the necessary skills to be successful in any pathway that you choose to take.  MH, Class of 2019

When I was in high school, I was provided with the opportunity to join the SHSM program. A mistake I still regret to this day was choosing not to. As a current university student, I can fully see and understand the value SHSM provides for high school students getting ready for post-secondary education. The professionals you meet in SHSM and the learning you get are the important skills that help students in the future.  VS, Class of 2019

Ever since joining SHSM, I was given the opportunity to experience and learn from multiple industry events. From Deloitte, to World Vision, to Junior Economics Club of Canada and so many more, I was able to network with professionals from all companies that I one day could possibly work for. The SHSM trip to Laurier University has even sparked my decision to choose Laurier as my future for the next 4 years. SHSM is an amazing program with nothing but benefits that only help build the future you want for yourself. Joining SHSM was the highlight of my 4 years in high school and I couldn't think of a better program to be a part of.  KH, Class of 2019

With a smaller school size, the community is much more close-knit. There are always friendly faces in the hallway, and so many people know your name. I had a close bond with teachers and no issues with making friends. The teachers are dedicated to extracurriculars and the opportunities are endless. We were truly a family at John Cabot, and it's a huge reason I am still a part of that family today.  KD, Class of 2014

Joining the SHSM program has been one of the best decisions I have made in high school. It allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and experience the real world behind school. I got to interact with amazing people and build connections throughout the way. As a former student I would recommend joining the SHSM program as it helps you build confidence, experience and a visual representation of the real world. The SHSM program gives you endless opportunities to branch out, meet new people along the way and set you up for success.  O class of 2019

 Words from our Partners...

"We are very impressed with the caliber of the SHSM business program and its students, and the focus on providing relevant industry learning for students. We highly value our partnership with John Cabot CSS."    

 Horace Matthews, VP, Digital & Information Technology, World Vision Canada

"Junior Achievement of Central Ontario is pleased to provide the students at John Cabot with several experiential, life-alerting experiences.  It has been a pleasure having you engage in our World of Choices; Empowering Young Women event, Titan, the Investment Strategies Program and the Be Entrepreneurial program.  Each of these programs not only enhanced the financial literacy, job readiness and entrepreneurial skills of students, but exposed them to advice and mentoring from trained volunteers from the business community.  This special combination of curriculum and mentorship is what JA Central Ontario is proud to deliver.  Thank you for giving us this opportunity.  We love John Cabot!"

Jen James, VP Programs & IT, JA Central Ontario

Jane Eisbrenner, President & CEO, JA Central Ontario.

"I have had the pleasure to work with the Business SHSM group at John Cabot to help provide real world experiences and stories to the business students over the past 8 years.  The ability of bringing boardroom to classroom and classroom to boardroom can only better prepare the students as they become future business leaders.   There is a strong focus on networking, entrepreneurship and collaboration in the which ads a different level of value to the students."

 Nelson Lemos, Director of Dealer Sales, Ace Canada

How to Join the Cabot Business SHSM Program?

Cabot - Business SHSM Application

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