Washington, D.C. – Victor Valley College returns for a second year as part of the Metallica Scholars program to receive an additional $50,000 to transform the future of students in the community.
Since establishing the Metallica Scholars Initiative in 2019, All Within My Hands (AWMH) has been working with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to provide direct support for career and technical education programs across the US. Having grown from a concept to a thriving educational strategy that focuses on enhancing skills while providing services to students looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program, the Metallica Scholars Initiative has generated a proven and measurable impact. AWMH will replicate the program further by adding ten more schools to the roster, investing $1.8 million to expand in year four.
“Our goal for the Metallica Scholars Initiative is to shine a light on workforce education and support the next generation of tradespeople. With the addition of the 2022-2023 Metallica Scholars program, our grants will reach over 2,000 men and women in 32 community colleges across 27 states. We are honored to support these students of all ages and backgrounds and look forward to growing the program even farther in the future.” – Pete Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands
Direct impact on job and wage growth drives the Metallica Scholars Initiative. On average, students who complete the program see new job opportunities and increased salary potential up to three times higher than pre-program. Victor Valley College will focus its efforts on logistics & distribution related training. Through these funds, VVC will provide training and certifications for students in industrial maintenance, safety, and forklift operations. The college’s goal is to elevate students’ skill sets by meeting industry standards, and raising the level of academic programs offered.
“VVC is well positioned for massive growth in the logistics and warehousing industry. We look forward to expanding partnerships with local employers to build career opportunities for our students. Through Metallica’s All Within My Hands scholarships, we’ve been able to provide students with in-demand certifications at our High Desert Training Center, located at the Southern California Logistics Airport” – Dr. Daniel Walden, Superintendent – President, Victor Valley College
Funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) and led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative is designed to directly support students while elevating the importance of career and technical education. Metallica continues to use its global platform to speak out on the dignity of professional trades and community colleges that prepare students.
Working closely with the AACC, a Washington D.C.-based advocate for not-for-profit, public-serving institutions, AWMH has selected ten schools to receive $100,000 each to transform the future of students in their communities. The extensive proposal process received an incredible amount of interest, and the applications were of the highest quality. Each of the ten institutions chosen intends to prioritize students interested in the skilled trades as a pathway to economic development.
“The Metallica Scholars program has proven to provide significant resources for community college students looking to learn the skills needed for today’s workforce,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “We are honored to partner with the All Within My Hands Foundation to continue to expand this opportunity for community colleges and their students.”The ten schools are:
- Clark State Community College – Springfield, Ohio
- East Central College – Union, Missouri
- Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown, North Carolina
- Hudson County Community College – Jersey City, New Jersey
- Middlesex Community College -Lowell, Massachusetts
- Milwaukee Area Technical College – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Perkinston, Mississippi
- Rockland Community College – Suffern, New York
- Salt Lake Community College – Salt Lake City, Utah
- San Juan College – Farmington, New Mexico
The returning schools are:
- Central Community College – Grand Island, Nebraska
- Central Piedmont Community College – Charlotte, North Carolina
- Clackamas Community College – Oregon City, Oregon
- Clinton Community College – Clinton, Iowa
- College of Lake County – Grayslake, Illinois
- Columbia Gorge Community College – The Dalles, Oregon
- Community College of Baltimore County – Baltimore, Maryland
- Elizabethtown Community and Technical College – Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- Gateway Technical College – Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Grand Rapids Community College – Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Lone Star College – Woodlands, Texas
- North Idaho College – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
- Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Virginia
- Northwest-Shoals Community College – Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Pima County Community College – Tucson, Arizona
- Polk State College – Winter Haven, Florida
- Spokane Community College, Spokane, Washington
- Valencia College – Orlando, Florida
- Victor Valley College – Victorville, California
- West Virginia University Parkersburg – Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Westchester Community College – Westchester, New York
- WSU Tech – Wichita, Kansas
The newly added community colleges are joining an already established core of 22 schools that have been invited to continue as a Metallica Scholars school. Each year, the returning colleges play an integral role in onboarding to help the new schools hit the ground running.
The 32 colleges across the country are encouraged to use the AWMH grant as the local industry dictates in terms of program and training.
To provide skilled and educated tradespeople ready for the local workforce, Metallica Scholars programs include:
Automation & Robotics
Automotive Technology
Aviation
Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology & Carpentry
Diesel Technology
Electrical Engineering
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking
Welding
To learn more about the Metallica Scholars Initiative, please visit AllWithinMyHands.org/Metallica-Scholars.
About All Within My Hands (AWMH)
Established by the members and management of Metallica in 2017 as a means to invest in the people and places that have supported the band, the Foundation is focused on supporting 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.
About American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the AACC delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students searching for the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s nearly 1,100 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.
For additional information about this scholarship opportunity and related trainings, contact Frank Castanos, Director of Community / Contract Ed. & Workforce Programs: