As part of the Student Success Strategy, Ontario secondary schools offer expanded programs to meet the learning styles and interests of each student. These programs allow students to personalize their school experience through new, diverse and enhanced learning options. These options include the School-College-Workplace Initiative (SCCWI), Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM), Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and Co-operative Education (CO-OP).
The School-College-Workplace Linkage Initiative (ITJECT) is a collaborative effort to ensure a seamless transition for high school students heading to college. The initiative provides students, teachers, parents and the community with a wealth of opportunities to learn and learn. The collaboration between high schools and colleges through the IJECT provides dual credit courses (DRC) for high school students. Some examples offered by the Conseil scolaire catholique des Grandes Rivières include:
  • anticipation camps at colleges for high school students;
  • dual credit courses (DRC).

Dual credit programs

Dual credit programs allow high school students to enroll in college courses. Students who meet college standards in these courses will earn credits toward both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a college diploma. Eligible students can earn up to a maximum of four credits through these programs.

Dual credit programs are for:

  • students who are having difficulty meeting the requirements for graduating from high school;
  • students taking part in the Specialist High Skills Major (MHS) programs;
  • students participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

Admission to dual credit programs is overseen by the school's or school board's success team.

Here are some examples of courses that may be offered :

  • Exploring careers in the environment
  • Exploring careers in health
  • Mathematics in the trades
  • Introduction to welding
  • Makeup
  • Physical activity
  • Introduction to sociology

For more information, you can contact the school's guidance counselor.

Cooperative education is an experiential learning mode that qualifies for high school credits. This program consists of a component in the school environment and another in the workplace. It gives the student the chance to participate in relevant learning experiences, which help them prepare for the next stage of their life, whether it is college, university studies, apprenticeship training, the labor market or a community integration program.
The Specialist High Skills Major is a specialized program approved by the Ministry of Education. It allows students from 11e and 12e year to focus their learning on a particular economic sector while meeting high school graduation requirements. MHS also prepares students to make the transition from high school to college, university, apprenticeship training or the workforce.

The advantages of an MHS

Through a Specialized Major, students have the opportunity to:
  • personalize their secondary education itinerary according to their interests and talents;
  • develop specialized knowledge and skills;
  • obtain credits recognized by post-secondary educational institutions (double recognition of credit);
  • obtain industry-recognized certifications;
  • have training specific to the career that interests them;
  • develop essential skills and work habits documented through the Ontario Skills Passport;
  • identify, explore and refine their career goals in order to make informed decisions about their future.
Students still have some flexibility. If a change of plan or goals occurs, they can modify their itinerary along the way.

The programs available

Each high school offers a different selection of MHS programs. It is therefore important to check with your secondary school or consult your prospectus to find out about the MHS programs offered there. In total, our Council offers 23 MHS programs in the following sectors:
  • Business
  • Agriculture
  • Arts and culture
  • Construction
  • Environment
  • Mining exploration
  • Conception
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • health and wellbeing
  • Transport

Requirements

The Red Seal Diploma with the MHS designation indicates to employers and post-secondary institutions that the student is among the best prepared to enter the job market, apprenticeship training or college or university studies. To obtain the designation " Specialist High Skills Major » on his Ontario Secondary School Diploma and on his Ontario Transcript, the student must have accumulated during his 11e and 12e grade:
  1. Student learning and the development of transferable skills:
    four specialization credits in the chosen sector; • two cooperative education credits; • support credits in French, mathematics, science, history or business and commerce, depending on the MHS;
  2. Mandatory certifications or training recognized by the sector;
  3. Anticipation experiences that reflect the student's itinerary;
  4. Experiential learning activities in the sector;
  5. Experiences by a sector partner which may include coding, math literacy, or entrepreneurship innovation activity.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) aims to facilitate the transition between school and work. It allows students of the 11e and 12e to explore a trade while studying towards their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Students have the opportunity to be apprentices and work towards becoming certified journeypersons in a skilled trade.

To be eligible for PAJO, the student must:

  • be at least 15 years old;
  • have obtained at least 14 credits towards the OSSD before starting the program;
  • be registered as a full-time student;
  • enroll in a cooperative education program.

For more information or to view the list of occupations, please visit the website of the PAJO.

This Employment Ontario program is funded by the Government of Ontario.