EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) Certifications
The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) is a specialized program that allows students to gain credits toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma and focus their learning on a specific economic sector at the same time. In these workshops, students will use concrete examples and interactive activities to examine relevant themes and justice issues connected to their sector of interest. Catholic Social Teaching and UN Sustainable Development Goals are integrated into each workshop.
(2.5 to 3 hours)
Students will be introduced to ethical considerations focusing on 3 main guiding questions:
-
What does it mean to be ethical?
-
How do we make ethical decisions?
-
What is our call to action so that we can act ethically in our lives and serve our community?
Throughout the workshop students will engage in interactive learning activities that include movement, dialogue, games, and case studies. Content specific to the SHSM sector will also be incorporated (e.g. non-profit, education and child care; health and wellness; JCSES, etc)
For questions or more information please contact audrey.ferrer@marywardcentre.ca
(2.5 to 3 hours)
Students will be introduced to Conflict Resolution focusing on 3 main guiding questions:
-
What are the causes, modes and approaches to conflict?
-
What is the value of peace-building and conflict transformation?
-
What are some practical strategies and skills that can be used to engage in compassionate listening and meaningful dialogue?
At the end of the session, students should feel more confident to address conflict they encounter in their personal lives (home, school, work) and how to be peace-builders in the broader community.
Throughout the workshop students will engage in interactive learning activities that include movement, dialogue, games, and case studies. Content specific to the SHSM sector will also be incorporated (e.g. non-profit, education and child care; health and wellness; JCSES, etc)
(2.5 to 3 hours)
Students will be introduced to Anti-Oppression & Allyship focusing on 3 main guiding questions:
-
What is oppression and how do factors contribute to it at a personal, cultural, and institutional level?
-
What are ways of thinking we have inherited that contribute to systems of oppression?
-
How can we apply an anti-oppression lens approach to our own personal life and relationships within our community?
-
What are some challenges of, and opportunities for, Allyship?
Throughout the workshop students will engage in interactive learning activities that include movement, dialogue, games, and case studies. Content specific to the SHSM sector will also be incorporated (e.g. non-profit, education and child care; health and wellness; JCSES, etc)
(SPE)
We offered our first Sector-Partner Experience in May 2026 on housing justice! Please contact us if you wish to co-develop an SPE for your specific SHSM sector program. We can connect it to our work on migrant or housing justice.
Are you interested in our educational initiatives?
Please leave us your email.
