Thanks to the band Metallica, Clackamas Community College is ready to rock more heavy metals into its career technical education programs. For the second year in a row, the college is a recipient of a grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) Foundation.
Following a stellar inaugural year with results that included job placement rates of more than 90 percent, the Metallica Scholars Initiative is continuing its support of community colleges and their career and technical education programs — expanding the program from 10 to 15 schools, as well as the addition of matching grants from new partners.
Created in 2019, the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a partnership between the band’s AWMH Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges, a Washington, D.C.-based organization representing the country’s more than 1000 community colleges.
Ten colleges from communities that had supported Metallica during its recent U.S. tours were selected via a competitive application process, each receiving $100,000 from the Foundation and matched funds toward programs designed to support students training to enter the American workforce.
“Our 2019 Metallica Scholars have exceeded expectations and inspired us in more ways than we could have possibly imagined,” Metallica’s Lars Ulrich said. “We’re really excited to be able to expand the initiative in its second year, assisting more students in achieving their dreams and transforming their lives in 2020.”
This major workforce education initiative provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. These programs provide skills and services to students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program.
CCC is one of 15 community colleges from across the country chosen through a competitive proposal process to receive funding to support students training to enter the American workforce.
“CCC is proud to provide a cost-effective education for students to pursue ‘metals’ careers working in automotive, welding and computer controlled machine manufacturing in greater Portland,” CCC President Tim Cook said. “For metals students, tuition is only half the battle. Our students, many of whom are low income, struggle to purchase the tools and textbooks needed for successful study, apprenticeship and employment in their chosen careers. I believe elevating the profile of career and technical education through Metallica Scholars could forge a path out of poverty for many in our community.”
CCC will once again use the grant funding to purchase tools, textbooks, personal protective equipment for low-income students studying computer numerical control, industrial technology, welding and automotive technology.
In addition to the tools, equipment and textbooks, CCC Metallica Scholars will receive resume and interview prep and practice, job and/or internship placement assistance, advising, career coaching and additional support in transportation, books and supplies. Last year, CCC served 81 unemployed or underemployed students, ages 17-58.
“The colossal reputation of Metallica has given these colleges, and the trades they are supporting, new life and attention,” said Jennifer Worth, AACC Senior Vice President, Workforce and Economic Development. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have the band’s and foundation board of directors’ trust to design and implement programs that will change the lives of hard-working Americans looking to advance.”
The AWMH Foundation was established in 2017 by Metallica as a means to give back to the people and places that have supported the band, and to engage Metallica fans in philanthropic efforts. In addition to combatting hunger through an alliance with Feeding America, AWMH is focused on supporting sustainable communities through workforce education.
All expenses of the foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends, so that 100 percent of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
To learn more about the Metallica Scholars program, contact Tom Brown at thomasb@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3956.