A Specialist High Skills Major allows you to focus on a career area that interests you while you earn your high school diploma. No matter what education you plan to pursue after high school—apprenticeship, college, university or workplace training—a agriculture major can help you focus on a future career.

A Specialist High Skills Major in agriculture offers:

  • high school courses in grade 11 and 12 tailored to the career you want to pursue
  • the chance to work with industry leaders and experience cutting-edge training in transportation
  • experience working in the sector you’re interested in, while you’re still in high school
  • recognition on your high school diploma

The agriculture major includes the following five components:

  • A bundle of nine grade 11 and 12 credits that comprise of:
    • four agriculture major credits
    • three other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in English, mathematics, and science or business studies
    • two co-operative education credits tied to the sector
  • Seven sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs (four compulsory and a choice of three electives)
  • Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector
  • Reach ahead experiences connected with the student’s postsecondary plans
  • Completion of a Sector-Partner Experience

Sector-recognized certification and training:

As part of the agriculture major, you will earn six certifications, including the following three that are compulsory:

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level A
  • generic instruction about the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • standard first aid

Future career paths for agriculture majors:

For agriculture majors, possible careers include:

  • Apprenticeship –  arborist, blacksmith, dairy herds person, farm equipment technician, fruit grower, horse groom, parts person, swine herds person
  • College – agricultural equipment and supplies technical salesperson, customer support representative, farmer and farm manager, technical sales specialist, veterinary equipment and supplies salesperson, winery and viticulture technician
  • University – agricultural chemist, agricultural inspector, agronomist, chemical engineer, mechanical engineer, soil scientist, veterinarian
  • Entry-level workplace – general farm worker, greenhouse worker, harvesting labourer, mechanical helper, pet groomer and animal care worker, specialized livestock worker

Get more information:

Call the guidance department at the following schools that offer the program: