September 9, 2009
DSBN Specialist High Skills Majors on the Grow Again
The 2009/2010 school year is opening with even more opportunities for high school students at the District School Board of Niagara.
Students interested in focusing their education on a particular career path have more options to consider, now that the Board has expanded its Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM) program to include three new sectors and ten new programs. That brings the total offering to 29 programs across 9 different sectors.
New sectors being introduced this year include Energy, Arts and Culture and Horticulture.
Students interested in a career in the energy sector, specifically conservation, have the opportunity to become part of the ACE (Ambassadors for the Conservation of Energy) program. Offered at E.L. Crossley and Westlane secondary schools, students in the ACE program will work closely alongside industry professionals, receive specialized training, conduct energy audits, complete retrofits and run energy conservation awareness campaigns in their schools and surrounding DSBN facilities.
An education in the arts challenges students to think critically and solve problems creatively – skills that are in high demand today. The SHSM–Arts and Culture enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, post-secondary programs, or the workplace. The Arts and Culture SHSM is being offered at Laura Secord and Niagara District secondary schools.
With its sprawling orchands, lush greenery and close ties to the agricultural industry, the Niagara Region is the ideal spot for the Horticulture SHSM. Students taking part in the Horticulture program will be preparing for careers in the management of local parks, the maintenance of sports grounds, and the construction of domestic gardens, as well as outdoor recreation, environmental sustainability, and eco-tourism. Much like the DSBN’s Construction SHSM, the Horticulture program will be a regional offering, meaning students can become part of the program no matter which school they attend.
“Through our Specialist High Skills Majors, students will gain valuable industry experience and develop confidence in their ability to succeed. Students also begin to see the connections between their studies, the world beyond high school, and their future careers,” says Colleen Fast, SHSM Facilitator.
Click here to learn more about the technology programs offered at the District School Board of Niagara.