Victor Valley College Invited to Return to Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative as the Workforce Education Program Expands to over 90 Schools
Victorville, California – Victor Valley College (VVC) is proud to announce it has once again been asked to participate in the eighth year of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Supported by a generous $15,000 grant aimed at enhancing student opportunities in industry recognized training and certifications within its equipment operation, safety, and workforce readiness programs. As a 6-time MSI participant, Victor Valley College has received $205,000 in support of career and technical education programs throughout the initiative’s existence.
VVC’s Frank Castaños, Executive Director of Workforce Development said, “Victor Valley College is honored and excited to continue the Metallica Scholars Initiative for another year in service to our community. Through our partnership with All Within My Hands (AWMH) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), hundreds of students have gained access to industry-recognized training and certifications that prepare them for high-demand careers. This initiative has provided students with a pathway to meaningful employment while also encouraging continued college education. We are grateful for this opportunity and look forward to expanding our impact by serving even more members of our community in the year ahead.”
All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, proudly announces the eighth year of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date: over $3.3M. 18 new US schools will join the returning 75 colleges in the fall for a total of 93 in the program. In addition, later this year, the Metallica Scholars Initiative will also expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.
Metallica’s James Hetfield said, “This thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding. We’re so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It’s humbling to know we’ve been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world.”
AWMH continues to work closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, MSI’s core focus is supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers, and electricians, while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow. The workforce initiative continues to evolve, supporting diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Year 8 includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting, and agricultural pathways.
Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC, said, “The continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what’s possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission. Through this partnership, 13,000 community college students have already been supported across the country, earning the skills needed for in- demand careers with family-sustaining wages. This latest, generous investment by Metallica’s foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies. We are proud to partner with All Within My Hands to scale this impact, ensuring even more students have access to life-changing opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond.”
The initiative’s eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnerships with Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction, and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the Foundation’s newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement the Foundation’s Executive and Advisory Board Members and the broader Metallica Family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH’s mission and driving its success.
Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH, said, “Metallica Scholars Year 8 will see our largest-scale growth yet, as we anticipate supporting close to 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 learners in the UK. This represents an approximate 40% increase in our student body, something we are incredibly excited about. Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad. Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition.”
Newly Added Metallica Scholar Colleges:
- Barton Community College – Great Bend, KS
- Berkshire Community College – Pittsfield, MA
- Central Maine Community College – Auburn, ME
- Delaware County Community College – Media, PA
- Dutchess Community College – Fairview, NY
- Fletcher Technical Community College – Terrebonne Parish, LA
- Lake Region State College – Devils Lake, ND
- Metropolitan Community College – Kansas City, MO
- Monroe Community College – Rochester, NY
- Moraine Valley Community College – Palos Hills, IL
- North Central State College – Mansfield, OH
- Northeast State Community College – Blountville, TN
- Northwest Mississippi Community College – Senatobia, MS
- Raritan Valley Community College – Branchburg Township, NJ
- Riverside City College – Riverside, CA
- South Texas College – McAllen, TX
- Trident Technical College – North Charleston, SC
- William Rainey Harper College – Palatine, IL
For a complete list of all 93 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.
Victor Valley College’s MSI Program:
Victor Valley College will support at least 80 students over one year in Equipment Operation & Maintenance, and Purchasing & Warehousing occupations through scholarships providing registration fees, industry recognized certifications, related supplies and other costs to engage and support persistence through the following training programs: Forklift Operator (Class I-V), Occupational Safety and Health, Commercial Drivers Licensure and Career Readiness. VVC will recruit students with intention who represent the following populations: Justice Involved (formerly incarcerated), Adult Learners, Non-traditionally represented individuals, First and Returning students seeking education and employment opportunities through this scholarship. This initiative has proven to be successful for hundreds of students in the High Desert Community by providing them with industry needed training and supporting students through career and academic enhancement.
About All Within My Hands:
Established in 2017, All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. Metallica covers all administrative costs, so 100% of donations go directly to the organizations supported by the Foundation. To date, All Within My Hands has provided grants of $19M to career and technical education programs through its Metallica Scholars Initiative, $8.8M to combat food insecurity, and $6.2M to disaster relief and other critical local services worldwide. Visit AllWithinMyHands.org to learn more. And follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About American Association of Community Colleges:
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely 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, 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. https://www.aacc.nche.edu/
For additional information about VVC’s Metallica Scholars Initiative programming and opportunities, contact Frank Castaños: [email protected], 760-245-4271 Ext. 2152