Back-to-school season is in full swing, and for many Gen Z students, the path after graduation looks different. Some call them the "Toolbelt Generation."

At Father Judge High School in Northeast Philadelphia , students aren't just walking away with a diploma; they're leaving with skills that open doors to high-paying jobs right out of high school.

"It's been three years since you've been here—a lot has changed," said welding program instructor Joe Williams, standing inside the brand-new 25,000-square-foot Career Pathways Academy .

The expansion now includes welding, automotive technology, and HVAC, giving students hands-on training in some of the region's most in-demand fields.

"When you first came to Father Judge, did you ever imagine the program would be as big as this?" report

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