Niagara Catholic District School Board

Last week, St. Michael’s Catholic High School was thrilled to host an engaging Green Industries workshop as part of our Specialist High Skills Major program. The response was overwhelming, with the workshop filling up in just one day! An excellent group of students gathered early in the morning in the cafeteria, eager to learn and get hands-on experience in construction.

The day began with a presentation from Blair Jenkins, a sales representative from Techo Bloc, a paving stone manufacturer. Jenkins shared insights into the manufacturing processes, applications, and building techniques utilizing paving stones to create retaining walls.

At 9:00 AM, the excitement moved outdoors to an evolving garden space. Jenkins demonstrated wall and pillar building techniques, showcasing practical skills that students could apply immediately.

After the demonstration, the students split into groups to start building, applying their newly acquired knowledge. With cooperation from the weather, students are on track to complete this phase of the project by Wednesday, marking another milestone in our SHSM program.

Niagara Catholic is proud of our students for their enthusiasm and commitment to learning practical skills that will serve them well in their future endeavors. A special thank you to Techo Bloc for their assistance getting the project off the ground. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress!

“This is a great opportunity for students to see what the industry looks like and gives them perspective on what a future career might entail outside of post-secondary education,” shared Jenkins, Sales Representative at Techo Block.

“When students get an immersive experience like this, they get to practice and learn the skills they need to take it to the next level,” shared Darren Schmahl, Green Industries teacher at Niagara Catholic. “Our SHSM programs here at Niagara Catholic are fantastic in that we conduct many special projects and workshops. It’s not just an in-class scenario; we try to make them as interactive as possible.”

"I signed up for the workshop to get some experience working with tools and building projects like this one. I have always enjoyed working with my hands, so this was a great oppurtunity to get outside and learn more about green industries. During the workshop, I learned that teamwork is important in order to get the job done, especially on such a big project like this." Roisin Smith, Saint Michael Catholic High School student. 

A huge thank you to Mr. Schmahl and Mr. Stevenson for coordinating and overseeing this project at St. Michael’s.  

About Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programs are part of the Ministry of Education’s Student Success initiative. SHSM programs meet students’ interests and learning needs. Students who participate in a SHSM program learn through cooperative education and learning placements in the community. Students who complete an SHSM designation leave high school confident in their skills, knowledge, and with industry recognized qualifications and certifications.

Each SHSM program has a bundle of 8-10 Grade 11 and 12 credits. These include four credits in their area of interest, English and math, elective courses in science, business, or social science that complement their major courses, and at least two co-op courses related to their SHSM.

Students in SHSM courses receive sector-related certifications, such as WHMIS, First Aid, and CPR.

They may also participate in reach-ahead experiences through programs such as dual-credit high school and college courses.

To learn more about SHSM at Niagara Catholic, visit our Student Pathways page here.