Delaware Technical Community College is one of 18 colleges newly joining the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), created by All Within My Hands (AWMH), a non-profit charitable organization founded by members and management of the band Metallica. Each new college joining the MSI will receive $75,000 to enhance their workforce training programs.
“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really resonated with me,” said Metallica guitarist and lead singer James “Papa Het” Hetfield, “with our shared goal of breaking down the stigma of job skills, which are essential to society, and more importantly, supporting the many people looking to learn these skills and use them to build a career.”
“I – and all of us – are so proud that this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s incredible to be able to award our largest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce. In our sixth year of the Metallica Scholars Initiative, we’re aiming to go even further – this year, our program will be in 60 schools across all 50 states – and it’s all thanks to your support.”
The initiative was launched in 2019 by AWMH in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and began with 10 colleges and universities, primarily manufacturing programs. Steadily growing, MSI provides diverse workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training they need to find meaningful, high-paying careers.
“We are grateful to All Within My Hands and the American Association of Community Colleges for selecting Delaware Tech as the newest member of the Metallica Scholars Initiative,” said Delaware Tech President Mark T. Brainard. “This generous financial support will help us fulfill our mission of serving the needs of Delaware’s employers through workforce development programs for high-demand occupations in Delaware.”
To date, AWMH has invested more than $10.5 million in America’s workforce, reaffirming its commitment to career and technical education at the local level. MSI offers more than 25 areas of study, including construction, medicine and engineering.
“We are pleased to congratulate the Metallica Scholarship Initiative’s newest college. All Within My Hands Foundation’s continued investment in workforce education has benefited thousands of community college students,” said Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC. “This effort helps advance skills education and the nation’s workforce pipeline. We are honored to continue this partnership to provide critical resources that remove barriers for students to participate in skills education programs that lead to family-sustaining wage jobs.”
With the addition of 18 new colleges and universities to MSI, AWMH expects to have helped more than 8,000 students of diverse backgrounds and ages gain skills that will help them find meaningful jobs and careers. Metallica Scholars are often considered non-traditional students, such as those who are supporting their families or are the first in their family to pursue a college education.
AWMH and AACC aim to connect students to skill-building opportunities and meet the talent needs of the American workforce while leveraging the community college system, the nation’s most affordable, flexible and industry-ready applied learning training provider.
“Through their foundation, Metallica is changing the way people in this country view and engage with careers, and it’s working,” said Peter DelGrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands. “Metallica Scholars are diverse, driven and ambitious, and we’re here to help them achieve their goals. We’re proud and honored to announce their induction into all 50 states. This marks an important milestone not only for our foundation, but also for the incredible community we’ve fostered and connected.”
For a complete list of all 60 universities currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars .