Supporting Meaningful, Experiential Learning
SHSM already gives students hands-on, pathway-focused experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award helps students move from doing those experiences to understanding what they’ve learned to communicating it with confidence.
The Award builds on the incredible work already happening in SHSM by helping students set goals, reflect on their growth, and translate their experiences into skills they can use beyond school. Through sustained effort and reflection, students develop confidence, agency, and transferable skills while also earning an internationally recognized Award.
New to the Award? Learn what participation looks like for educators and students.
Participants Educators & Schools SHSM Examples FAQ
How the Award fits alongside SHSM
Students continue their SHSM activities as planned, with the Award adding a clear structure for goal-setting, progress tracking, and reflection. It can be integrated into existing moments such as co-op, certifications, classroom tasks, and portfolio work, with flexibility to start small or expand over time. The Award helps students connect their experiences to transferable skills and clearly communicate what they’ve learned in interviews, applications, and beyond.
Read More About Our Co-curricular ApproachBy embedding the Award framework, SHSM students are supported to:
Set personal, meaningful goals within sector pathway
Connect purpose to action, understanding why and not just what
Track progress over time, rather than focusing only on hours or tasks completed
Reflect on learning, skills, and growth, building self-awareness and confidence
Evidence and clearly articulate transferable skills, using real examples for post‑secondary pathways, apprenticeships, and employment
Learn with guidance from adult mentors, supporting reflection, accountability, and follow‑through
How It Works Across All SHSM Sectors
The Award is flexible and can be tailored to fit each school. Many educators start by adding simple reflection into existing SHSM activities and build from there over time. These examples show how SHSM experiences can count toward the Award. Students can build on what they’re already doing and set new goals that matter to them. The Award helps students connect their experiences to real, transferable skills. They reflect on what they’ve learned and confidently communicate what they can do, wherever their path leads next.
Explore the Activity Zone for additional examples beyond SHSM:
Award Activity Zone
From growing food to caring for animals and exploring the environment—your Agriculture SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada helps you build the skills behind that learning: initiative, commitment, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From designing and building to working with tools and materials—your Construction SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that work: teamwork, problem-solving, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From exploring the outdoors to understanding sustainability and environmental issues—your Environment SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that learning: initiative, leadership, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From exploring flight to learning how aircraft and space technologies work—your Aviation and Aerospace SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that learning: initiative, focus, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From designing outdoor spaces to growing and caring for plants—your Horticulture and Landscaping SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that work: responsibility, creativity, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From preparing food to planning events and working with customers—your Hospitality and Tourism SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that work: communication, teamwork, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From coding and digital media to exploring how technology connects people—your Information and Communications Technology SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that learning: creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From designing and building to working with tools, materials, and technology—your Manufacturing SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that work: problem-solving, teamwork, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
From working with vehicles to exploring how transportation systems move people and goods—your Transportation SHSM gives you real-world, hands-on experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award helps you build the skills behind that work: problem-solving, responsibility, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
Creativity thrives when you push yourself. Your Arts and Culture SHSM develops your artistic voice through performance, design, and cultural experiences. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada challenges you to grow in new ways—building resilience, confidence, and skills beyond your primary art form.
Entrepreneurship, marketing, finance—your Business SHSM introduces you to how the professional world works. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada helps you develop the soft skills that set business leaders apart: communication, initiative, and the ability to set and achieve meaningful goals.
Powering the future requires innovation and technical skill. Your Energy SHSM connects you with renewable technologies, power systems, and industry certifications. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada supports your journey by building the personal discipline and teamwork that energy careers require.
From farm to fork, food safety and quality matter. Your Food Processing SHSM teaches you the science and standards behind food production. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada helps you set goals, build healthy habits, and develop the reliability that food industry employers look for.
Forests are ecosystems, resources, and workplaces. Your Forestry SHSM develops skills in sustainable management, safety, and environmental stewardship. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada complements this outdoor focus—adding structure for goal-setting, physical challenge, and meaningful reflection.
Caring for others starts with developing yourself. Your Health and Wellness SHSM prepares you for healthcare and wellness careers through certifications and placements. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada supports your growth—building the empathy, discipline, and service mindset that healthcare demands.
Communities count on people who show up when it matters. Your Justice, Community Safety and Emergency Services SHSM builds the certifications and mindset for protective service careers. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada develops the teamwork, physical readiness, and leadership these roles require.
Mining careers demand safety awareness, technical skill, and physical capability. Your Mining SHSM introduces you to extraction technologies, geology, and industry certifications. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada helps you build the well-rounded personal development that resource sector employers value.
Making a difference in people's lives is rewarding—and it takes skill. Your Non-Profit, Education and Child Care SHSM prepares you to support communities, teach, and nurture growth in others. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada helps you develop your own potential while serving those around you.
Athletic performance is about more than physical ability—it's discipline, goal-setting, and mental toughness. Your Sports SHSM develops coaching, training, and sports management skills. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award - Canada adds structure for personal growth that extends beyond the playing field.
Throughout the SHSM experience participants will have the opportunity to also earn a
Where it fits within your program, optional micro-credentials can be earned throughout the Award journey, offering additional ways for students to deepen and formally recognize their learning.
Interested in integrating the Award with SHSM at your school or board?
Find out more here Educator Guidance
FAQ for Student Participants and Parents
- As a student participant, why would I want to do the Award with SHSM? What do I gain?
- Get recognised: Earn an internationally recognised Award valued by colleges, universities, and employers.
- Do what you enjoy: Choose activities that match your interests and build on what you’re already doing in SHSM.
- Stay flexible: You can continue with the Award even if you don’t complete your full SHSM course bundle.
- Build real skills: Develop leadership, problem‑solving, and confidence through reflection and hands‑on experiences.
- Do it with friends: Take on challenges together and make it a social, fun experience.
- Stand out: SHSM plus the Award strengthens your resume and future options.
- Get support: Receive personalised feedback from trained adult mentors and connect with a global alumni community.
For more details, view our brochure or explore the Activity Zone above for examples of how to connect SHSM experiences to the Award framework.
No, not all activities in the Award sections need to be part of your SHSM. While all SHSM activities can be utilized for the Award, participants have the flexibility to engage in other activities as well. If a participant doesn’t have a specific SHSM activity for a section or is interested in something else they’re already doing—whether it’s during school, with friends, or in their own time—they can use those activities as part of their Award journey, as long as it follows the 7 Elements of the Award Canada Way.
Yes. Many SHSM experiences can be used toward your Award sections. You can log them and reflect on what you learned in the Online Record Book (ORB), so your effort supports both SHSM and your Award. his dual recognition ensures that students can maximize their efforts in both programs, leveraging their SHSM certifications and projects as valid contributions toward their Award achievements. This synergy enhances the overall learning experience and provides students with a comprehensive skill set that is highly regarded by post-secondary institutions and employers.
That’s okay. If you don’t have a SHSM activity that fits a section right now, you can use another activity you’re already doing (or want to start)—at school, in your community, or on your own time. The Award is designed to be flexible so you can build a plan that works for you.
Encouraging your child to complete the Award alongside their SHSM is a great way to enhance their learning while having fun with friends. The Award is an internationally recognised accreditation valued by colleges, universities, and employers, and it recognises the effort your child is already putting into their learning.
Students can choose activities that match their interests and use evidence from their existing SHSM experiences, making participation flexible and engaging. Even if they are unable to complete their full SHSM bundle, they can still continue with the Award and celebrate their achievements.
Through reflection, mentorship, and teamwork, your child will build valuable skills such as problem‑solving, leadership, and confidence, while connecting with peers and a global alumni community.
For more details, view our brochure here.
FAQ for Educators
The Award complements SHSM by adding structured reflection, personalized learning, and internationally recognized accreditation. Many SHSM activities can count toward the Award, allowing students to work toward both SHSM certification and Award accreditation without adding extra workload, while strengthening alignment with career goals.
For teachers, integrating the Award into SHSM supports engagement beyond the classroom through experiential learning and mentorship. Educators guide students through goal setting, reflection, and real‑world experiences that build leadership, teamwork, resilience, and problem‑solving skills.
Delivering the Award alongside SHSM also strengthens school culture by recognizing non‑formal learning, community involvement, and student growth beyond grades. Teachers often find the role rewarding, as they support students’ personal and academic development in meaningful ways.
For more details, view our brochure here.
Yes, attending a competition can count as an Adventurous Journey—as long as it’s adapted to fulfill AJ requirements. While simply attending doesn’t fulfill the criteria, the team can turn it into a meaningful AJ by setting a unique goal focused on learning and development. For example, instead of the goal being just to participate, they could work on enhancing team communication or conduct interviews with industry experts to prepare for future opportunities.
This way, the experience includes the core AJ elements of active participation, personal growth, and a unique challenge. Working together to add this extra layer not only meets AJ requirements but also allows students to fully engage with the experience, taking what they’re already doing to the next level.
It’s important that accommodations are self-catering and allow the team to be self-sufficient during the journey. If you’re struggling with accommodation arrangements, please have your Award Leader reach out to their Account Manager—we’re here to help. We’re committed to being responsive and collaborative, working closely with all groups to support a meaningful and engaging experience.
Upon successful completion of the Award, students will receive international recognition with a certificate that highlights their accomplishments. This recognition is valuable for academic and career advancement, as it demonstrates a commitment to personal growth, community service, and skill development. Schools may also host special recognition events to celebrate students’ achievements, further enhancing their sense of accomplishment and motivation to continue their engagement in meaningful activities.
Partnerships that are impacting young people in this pilot project
