CGCC's Fourth Year in the Metallica Scholars Initiative Workforce Education Program

Picture from Columbia Gorge Community College

From Columbia Gorge Community College:

By Tiffany Prince

The Dalles, OR Oct. 1, 2024 — Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) is proud to announce its continuing relationship with the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). CGCC will be entering into its fourth year in the program, which recently announced its largest expansion to date.

“CGCC is so proud to have been an early Metallica Scholars partner, and we appreciate their continued support and innovative approach to helping our students get the education needed to enter into high-skills, high-wage careers in the trades,” said CGCC Vice President of Instructional Services Jarett Gilbert. Over 100 CGCC students in Construction Technology, Electro-Mechanical Technology, Advanced Manufacturing & Fabrication, and Aviation Maintenance Technology have been awarded $157,305 in tools, protective gear, and other equipment.

Unlike a traditional scholarship that provides money toward tuition, Metallica Scholars are given a kit of high-quality tools that they will need to practice their chosen trade. Launched in ten colleges in 2019 in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Metallica’s goal has been to promote and support trades-based education. This year, the Metallica Scholars Initiative will have a presence in 60 colleges across all 50 states and Guam.

“When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me. A collective goal of breaking 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. 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. We are reaching even further for year six of the Metallica Scholars Initiative. This year, our program will be in 60 schools in all 50 states! All thanks to your support.” -James ‘Papa Het’ Hetfield, lead singer & songwriter, Metallica

“The sustained investment in workforce education by the All Within My Hands Foundation has benefited 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.” “Metallica, through its 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 (AWMH). “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.”

Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) is the heart of higher education in the greater Columbia River Gorge. CGCC, the first Oregon community college certified as a Hispanic Service Institution (HSI), offers a flexible schedule of credit and non-credit courses taught by faculty members who have studied, taught, researched, and volunteered around the globe. To learn more about some of CGCC’s Metallica Scholars, please visit cgcc.edu/msi.

About All Within My Hands

All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have raised over $15M— providing $8.2M in grants to career and technical education programs, over $3.6M to combat food insecurity, and more than $3.5M to disaster relief efforts. To learn more about All Within My Hands, Visit AllWithinMyHands.org and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

For a complete list of all 60 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

About AACC

As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all. For more information, visit https://www.aacc.nche.edu/.

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