Trident Technical College is proud to announce its selection as one of 18 new schools joining the eighth year of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Supported by a generous $75,000 grant aimed at enhancing the college's Electrical Lineworker and Automotive Technology programs, eligible students will receive scholarship support as they pursue their programs of study.
“This grant will serve as a motivational investment in our students, our workforce and the future of the Tri-County,” said Dr. Vicky Wood, president of Trident Technical College. “As a first-generation technical college graduate, I know firsthand how access to higher education can change a student's trajectory and open doors for families. We are honored that All Within My Hands, Metallica and the American Association of Community Colleges selected Trident Technical College for the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This support will help students gain the skills, credentials and confidence they need to move into high-demand careers that strengthen our region's economy.”
All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, announced the eighth year of its Metallica Scholars Initiative with its largest grant to date: more than $3.3 million. Eighteen new U.S. schools will join the 75 returning colleges this fall, bringing the total number of schools in the program to 93. In addition, the Metallica Scholars Initiative will expand to the United Kingdom later this year in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.
“This thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives,” Metallica's James Hetfield said. “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 longtime 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 eight includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and health care, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and emergency medical services, pipefitting and agricultural pathways.
“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,” said Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, president and CEO of AACC. “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 year 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.
“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 U.K.,” said Peter Delgrosso, executive director of AWMH. “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, Kansas
- Berkshire Community College — Pittsfield, Massachusetts
- Central Maine Community College — Auburn, Maine
- Delaware County Community College — Media, Pennsylvania
- Dutchess Community College — Fairview, New York
- Fletcher Technical Community College — Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
- Lake Region State College — Devils Lake, North Dakota
- Metropolitan Community College — Kansas City, Missouri
- Monroe Community College — Rochester, New York
- Moraine Valley Community College — Palos Hills, Illinois
- North Central State College — Mansfield, Ohio
- Northeast State Community College — Blountville, Tennessee
- Northwest Mississippi Community College — Senatobia, Mississippi
- Raritan Valley Community College — Branchburg Township, New Jersey
- Riverside City College — Riverside, California
- South Texas College — McAllen, Texas
- Trident Technical College — North Charleston, South Carolina
- William Rainey Harper College — Palatine, Illinois
For a complete list of all 93 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.