West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) proudly hosted a “Signing Day” to honor six students selected as Metallica Scholars, marking an exciting step in their educational and professional journeys. These students will apply their skills in real-world scenarios through paid work-based learning opportunities, supported by a $75,000 Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) grant awarded to the college earlier this year.
The grant, provided by All Within My Hands (AWMH) in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), funds WGTC’s “SkillForge: Crafting Careers in Trades and Tech” program. WGTC is the first college in Georgia to receive this prestigious grant, which connects education to industry experience.
Starting in January, six students in the electrical and welding programs at WGTC will begin paid, hands-on work experiences funded by the MSI grant. Electrical construction and maintenance students Jmon Diffay, Anton Knight, and Conner Martella, all from Carroll County, will join the team at Buck’s Electric. Wyatt Horsley, also from Carroll County, will work with Pillar Electric. Welding students Scarlett Douglas of Carroll County and Rachel Trull of Cleburne County, AL will work with Southeastern Hose.
“We are incredibly proud of these students and the opportunities they are stepping into through the Metallica Scholars program,” said Kristen Buoy, VP of Academic Affairs at WGTC. “This grant is not just an investment in our students—it is an investment in the future workforce of our community. Through these partnerships with local businesses, our students are gaining invaluable hands-on experience while building the skills needed to excel in their fields. These collaborations show the power of connecting education with industry to create meaningful career pathways.”
The Metallica Scholars grant is also being used to remove financial barriers for students by providing them with the tools and equipment they need to succeed. Fifteen students in the electrical construction maintenance program will receive tool bags valued at $500 each, while approximately 75 welding students will receive welding jackets, helmets, and gloves to ensure their safety during training and on the job.
To learn more about WGTC and the Metallica Scholars Initiative visit westgatech.edu/news.
