In this episode, recorded live at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference, we sit down with Aaron Wright, HVAC instructor at Delcastle Technical High School, to talk about what it takes to build a thriving vocational program.

We explore:

• How Delcastle's exploratory model lets freshmen sample HVAC alongside other career pathways before committing

• The "GAD score" system schools use to place students into high-demand programs like HVAC

• Turning classroom skills into real jobs through resume prep and interview practice

• Why employer partnerships and structured co-op schedules are key to getting students real-world experience

• The hands-on projects — brazing, electrical, sheet metal — that hook students in just a few days

• How coming up through the trades himself has shaped Aaron's ap ...