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PARKERSBURG - WVU Parkersburg for the eighth year has been invited to participate in the Metallica Scholars Initiative, the school announced.
The initiative is a program of All Within My Hands, a philanthropic organization created by the rock and roll band Metallica. With its largest grant to date, more than $3.3 million, 18 U.S. schools will join the returning 75 colleges in the fall.
All Within My Hands works with the American Association of Community Colleges. Begun in 2019, the initiative’s focus is supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers and electricians while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow.
The workforce initiative in Year 8 includes nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting and agriculture.
WVU Parkersburg has awarded 127 scholarships including in computer science, computer information technology and digital media production totaling $113,751 and funded approximately 159 certification exams valued at $29,268.
“Every Metallica Scholar has a story of determination, resilience and hope. For eight years, this extraordinary partnership has helped our students move from possibility to purpose by providing the resources they need to complete their education and begin meaningful careers," Dr. Torie Jackson, president of WVU Parkersburg, said. "We are incredibly grateful to All Within My Hands and AACC for believing in community colleges and, most importantly, believing in our students.”
What started as a dream is changing lives, James Hetfield, co-founder and lead vocalist of Metallica, said.
“To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding," Hetfield, who wrote many of the band's hits, said. "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.”
In addition to the 15 new schools in the United States, the Metallica Scholars Initiative later this year will expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London.
“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," DeRionne P. Pollard, president and CEO of the Association of Community Colleges, said. "This latest, generous investment by Metallica’s foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies."
Corporate partners with the foundation are Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction and Upstaging Inc. and its newest, ServiceTitan.
“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,"
Peter Delgrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands, said.
The additions represent a 40% increase in students, he said.
"Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad," he said. "Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition.”
All Within My Hands was established in 2017. The American Association of Community Colleges encourages educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students.