Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

The Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program is designed to provide students with sector recognized learning and skills that are advantageous for success in the workplace and post secondary education destinations. The SHSM will be an effective enabler and support for strengthening student engagement and success in secondary school through to graduation and in post secondary transition. It will result in student earning and Agriculture SHSM with their OSSD if they complete the five required components.

1. A bundle of credits identified in the sector specific guide in one of the four pathway destinations: apprenticeship, work, college, and university
2. Sector recognized certifications and training
3. Experiential learning opportunities
4. Use of the Ontario Skills Passport
5. Reach ahead experiances

Benefits to students

• an increase in student engagement
• building on strengths and interests
• helping students plan for the future
• make a successful post secondary transition
• increase co-operative educational placements
• safe workplace experiences
• meet and work with agricultural partners
• make informed career decisions

Requirements of the SHSM:

• 8-10 required credits as identified by the Ministry of Education
• "Major" credits in the SHSM sector area which provide sector specific knowledge, technical skill, and training
• Other required credits in English and Mathematics delivered in the context of this SHSM sector
• Earn recognized safety awareness and sector specific certifications
• Engage in experiential learning through job shadowing, work experience, and Co-operative education-a minimum of 2 credits directly linked to the SHSM
• Use of the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP) to document demonstration of essential skills and work habits
• Engage in reach-a-head experiences which can range from a few hours to a few weeks experience at farm show, colleges, and in other settings.

West Elgin Environmental Leadership Program

The Environmental Leadership Program offered at West Elgin Secondary School is a 2 credit program integrating Grade 12 Environment and Resource Management (Geography) and Grade 12 Spatial Technologies in Action(Geography)

The ELP integrates focus on natural ecosystems in areas of Aquatics, Soils, Wildlife Conservation and Forestry AND develops students’ ability in the use of computer-based technologies to create maps, charts, and graphs.

Students will be provided with participation in a variety of experiential learning activities both in the classroom and in the field to engage students’ interest. 

Studies and activities are also designed to develop self-confidence through a variety of hands-on activity based experiences and learn about leadership techniques, group dynamics and communication, organization and planning, responsibility, problem-solving and resourcefulness.

Students will carry these skills throughout their lives and with the acquisition of specific certifications, environmental skills, and outdoor training, will allow them to better observe and understand the relationships and human influences in the natural world to help increase their environmental stewardship.