West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) is honored to announce its selection as the first community college in Georgia, and one of 18 nationwide recipients, this year to join the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). This honor comes as part of the largest expansion of the initiative to date, supported by a generous $75,000 grant aimed at enhancing WGTC student outcomes and meeting regional workforce needs.
“Being selected for the Metallica Scholars Initiative is an incredible honor for West Georgia Tech,” said WGTC President Dr. Julie Post. “As the first and only college in Georgia to receive this grant, we are proud to be recognized for our commitment to breaking the stigma of trade skills with our focus on workforce education. This grant will empower our students with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in high-demand fields. We are grateful to All Within My Hands and the American Association of Community Colleges for their investment in our students and our community.”
The grant program, “SkillForge: Crafting Careers in Trades and Tech,” will allow West Georgia Tech to provide students enrolled in welding and electrical construction maintenance programs with paid opportunities through a Work Integrated Learning Program (WILP). The funds will also be used to provide welding and electrical kits directly to students.
Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with ten colleges and primarily manufacturing programs. With steady development by creative and dedicated leadership, MSI offers diverse workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers.
James “Papa Het” Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist, said the goal for the program is to “break the stigma of trade skills.”
“Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills,” he said. “I am so proud — we all are — to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s great that we’re able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce.”
To date, AWMH has invested over $10.5M in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level.
“I am happy to congratulate the newest Metallica Scholarship Initiative colleges. The sustained investment in workforce education by the All Within My Hands Foundation has benefitted thousands of community college students,” said Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC. “This work helps to advance skills education and the nation’s workforce pipeline. We are honored to continue this partnership to provide critical resources that eliminate barriers for students to participate in skills education programs that lead to family-sustaining wage careers.”
By the end of year six, MSI estimates that it will have helped more than 8,000 students with a wide range of backgrounds and ages gain skills to assist in finding meaningful jobs and careers. Metallica Scholars are often considered non-traditional students, as many have families they support or are the first in their families to pursue a college education. AWMH and AACC aim to connect students to skill-building opportunities and bridge the talent needs of the American workforce, all while utilizing the community college system, which is the most affordable, flexible, and industry-relevant applied-learning training provider in the country.
“Metallica, through their foundation, is changing how people view and engage with the trades in this country, and it is working,” stated Peter Delgrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands. “Metallica Scholars are diverse, motivated, and ambitious, and we are here to help them reach their goals. I am so proud and honored to be able to announce entrance into all 50 states as this is a significant milestone for not only our foundation but the incredible community we have helped foster and connect.”
For a complete list of all 60 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.
