GTCC receives All Within My Hands’ Metallica Scholars Initiative grant for third consecutive year

JAMESTOWN, N.C. (August 15, 2024) – Guilford Technical Community College received a $25,000 grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) to enhance its career and technical education programs for the third consecutive year.

The $25,000 grant will assist about 25 GTCC students with scholarships in the summer and fall semesters of 2024 and the spring semester of 2025. In 2023-2024, GTCC helped 55 Metallica Scholars with their education and training at the college.

In three years, the college has been granted $175,000, providing scholarships to students in programs including aviation, construction, HVAC, mechatronics, truck driver training, welding, furniture sewing, apartment technician, and more.

“The members of Metallica have a passion for education and understand the importance of skilled trades to our country,” said GTCC President Anthony Clarke, Ph.D. “This year’s grant, as have the last two, will be critical to students fulfilling their educational dreams and, at the same time, providing local companies with much-needed skilled workers.”

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit created by the members and management of Metallica, has launched its largest expansion of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) and its largest grant to date. With the launch of year six, 18 new colleges join the roster of existing MSI community colleges, with each new college receiving $75,000 to enhance the student experience within career and technical education programs. The Metallica Scholars Initiative has a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 U.S. states and the territory of Guam.

“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me,” said James Hetfield, a member of Metallica. “A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills. Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills.

“I am so proud – we all are – to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students.”

Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with 10 colleges and primarily manufacturing programs. With steady development by creative and dedicated leadership, MSI offers diverse workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers. Additional curricula will include construction, healthcare, and engineering, contributing to more than 25 fields of study offered within the initiative. To date, AWMH has invested over $10.5 million in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level.

“I am happy to congratulate the newest Metallica Scholarship Initiative colleges," said Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC. "The sustained investment in workforce education by the All Within My Hands Foundation has benefitted thousands of community college students. This work helps to advance skills education and the nation’s workforce pipeline. We are honored to continue this partnership to provide critical resources that eliminate barriers for students to participate in skills education programs that lead to family-sustaining wage careers.”

By the end of year six, the nonprofit estimates that it will have helped over 8,000 students with a wide range of backgrounds and ages gain skills to help them find meaningful jobs and careers. Metallica Scholars are often considered nontraditional students, as many have families they support or are the first in their families to pursue a college education. AWMH and AACC aim to connect students to skill-building opportunities and bridge the talent needs of the American workforce, all while using the community college system, which is the most affordable, flexible, and industry-relevant applied-learning training provider in the country.

“Metallica, through their foundation, is changing how people view and engage with the trades in this country, and it is working,” stated Peter Delgrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands. “Metallica Scholars are diverse, motivated, and ambitious, and we are here to help them reach their goals. I am so proud and honored to be able to announce entrance into all 50 states as this is a significant milestone for not only our foundation but the incredible community we have helped foster and connect.”

For a complete list of all colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

About the American Association of Community Colleges: As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges leads, advocates, and advances the nation’s community colleges.  Uniquely American, community colleges deliver educational and economic opportunities for more than 10 million diverse students annually. Dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, DC, AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support to increase economic mobility for all.

About All Within My Hands: All Within My Hands was established in 2017 by Metallica to invest in the people and places that have supported the band. It also allows Metallica’s fans to engage in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Foundation is dedicated to creating sustainable communities through workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. All expenses of the Foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends so that 100% of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.