A Specialist High Skills Major allows you to focus on a career area that interests you while you earn your high school diploma. If you want to build your career in Canada’s growing sports industry, then the sports major will appeal to you. No matter what education you plan to pursue after high school – apprenticeship, college, university or workplace training – a sports major can help you focus on a future career.

A Specialist High Skills Major in sports 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 sports
  • experience working in the sector you’re interested in, while you’re still in high school
  • recognition on your high school diploma

The sports major includes the following five components:

  1. A bundle of nine Grade 11 or 12 credits that comprises:
    • four sports major credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and skills
    • three other required credits from the Ontario curriculum, in English, mathematics, and a choice of business students, science or social sciences and humanities
    • two co-operative education credits tied to the sector
  2. Seven sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs (four compulsory and a choice of three electives)
  3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities within the sector
  4. Reach ahead experiences connected with the student’s post-secondary plans
  5. Completion of a Sector-Partner Experience (SPE)

Sector-recognized certification and training

As part of the sports major, you will earn seven certifications, including the following four which are compulsory:

  • standard first aid
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C
  • Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
  • generic instruction about the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Future career paths for sports majors

For sports majors, possible careers include:

  • apprenticeship – special events coordinator
  • college – arena manager, broadcasting sports director, broadcast technician, film or video camera operator, recreation facility manager
  • university – athletic therapist, health and physical education teacher, kinesiologist
  • entry level workplace – athlete, coach, fitness/sports instructor

Get more information

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