Construction SHSM Pathway
Are you registered to earn your SHSM Construction Red Seal Ontario Diploma?
Explore how you can set goals and reflect on your experiences in SHSM to not only earn your specialized diploma but also achieve the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada at the same time.
How you can link your SHSM experiences with Award Canada:
Construction certifications, hands-on building projects, carpentry and design activities, safety training, and construction industry placements focused on areas like home building, electrical, or architectural design.
Example SMART Goal: For the next 13 weeks, I will improve my carpentry problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills by completing three targeted construction training experiences by early January. I will complete two SHSM certifications. I will do 4 hours a week to complete these activities and track my progress through feedback and documentation.
Example Assessor: Carpenter’s Union (Industry partner delivering my SHSM certification) or SHSM Lead Educator
Example log for ORB: Today, I participated in Working at Heights, a required Construction SHSM training experience. It was exciting to learn more about safety on the job site and gain a skill I will need for my future in trades. My next training will be an elective to learn about chainsaws.
Active, hands-on construction work such as framing, building, lifting materials, working with tools, and completing physical tasks on job sites or in construction projects.
Example SMART Goal: Over the next 13 weeks, I will stretch and walk to improve my cardio and flexibility on the job site. I will stretch legs, arms, back, hands, fingers and increase my walking distance each week to build up to more than 2 hours per week.
Example Assessor: SHSM lead teacher, Phys. Ed Teacher, Coach or Industry Partner delivering training
Example log for ORB: Today’s training focused on basic safety to avoid injuries in how we move on the job site. I learned knowledge and skills to perform jobs safely. I am going to continue to improve my flexibility.
Volunteering with community build projects, housing initiatives, or local organizations where students support construction, maintenance, or renovation efforts that benefit the community.
Service Example SMART Goal: Over the next 13 weeks, I will complete my volunteer hours by planning and hosting elementary workshops to inspire students to learn about a career in construction. I will build starter kits that students can work from to assemble and paint bird houses.
Example Assessor: Elementary Classroom Teacher
Example log for ORB: Today, I volunteered at my old elementary school, showing grade 7s how to use hand tools. I learned that so many of them have never used a tool before. This experience reinforced my commitment to sharing opportunities in trades.
(Completed as a team over 2 days and 1 night. Your team will plan, do, and review the journey together—learning through teamwork, challenge, and reflection.)
General Activity Description:
A construction and community build exploration where your team travels on foot to visit local project sites, community builds, or construction-related spaces. You’ll learn about how projects are planned and built, explore the role of skilled trades in your community, and reflect on how teamwork and planning contribute to successful construction projects.
Example Team SMART Goal (Bronze – 2 Days, 1 Night):
As a team, we’ll complete a 2-day journey visiting at least two construction or community project sites. We’ll observe different building practices, speak with people involved in construction or community builds, document what we learn, and reflect on how we worked together to plan and complete the journey.
Example Assessor/Supervisor:
SHSM Lead Teacher, Construction Industry Partner (e.g., Carpenter’s Union or Habitat for Humanity), or Approved Award Leader
Example Group Debrief (Progress-Focused):
Visiting real construction and community build sites helped us understand how much coordination and teamwork goes into building projects. We improved at sharing responsibilities like navigation and documenting our learning. Next time, we’d plan our route more carefully and prepare questions ahead of time to make the most of each visit.
Career Pathways
- Bricklayers 7281
- Carpenters 7271
- Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 7311
- Electricians (except industrial and power system) 7241
- Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics 7313
- Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) 7294
- Plumbers 7251
- Roofers and shinglers 7291
- Architectural technologists and technicians 2251
- Civil engineering technologists and technicians 2231
- Construction estimators 2234
- Construction inspectors 2264
- Construction managers 0711
- Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades, and telecommunications occupations 7202
- Home building and renovation managers 0712
- Interior designers and interior decorators 5242
- Architects 2151
- Civil engineers 2131
- Electrical and electronics engineers 2133
- Mechanical engineers 2132
- Concrete finishers 7282
- Construction trades helpers and labourers 7611
- Home building and renovation managers 0712
