Metallica Scholars Initiative Enters Second Year
The band’s All Within My Hands Foundation & American Association Of Community Colleges will distribute $1.5 million To 15 US schools.
Following a stellar inaugural year with results including job placement rates exceeding 90%, the Metallica Scholars Initiative has confirmed a second year of its support of community colleges and their career and technical education programmes—featuring the expansion of the programme from 10 to 15 schools, as well as the addition of matching grants from new partners.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative was created in 2019 through a partnership between the band’s All Within My Hands foundation (AWMH) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a Washington, D.C. based organization representing the country’s more than 1,000 community colleges. 10 colleges from communities that had supported Metallica during its recent US tours were selected via a competitive application process, each receiving $100,000 toward programmes designed to support students training to enter the American workforce.
Final reports from all 10 schools and their more than 700 first-wave Metallica Scholars revealed an overall 80-90% programme completion rate, and 95% job placement for those Metallica Scholars who completed their certifications/studies.
Year two of the Metallica Scholars Initiative will add five more community colleges, bringing the total number of schools to 15. It will also be receiving matching grants from new partners supplementing All Within My Hands’ cumulative $1.5 million contribution.
“Our 2019 Metallica Scholars have exceeded expectations and inspired us in more ways than we could have possibly imagined,” said Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. “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.”
“The impact of the Metallica Scholars Initiative has been extremely gratifying,” said Dr. Edward Frank, Executive Director of All Within My Hands. “We are indebted to all the schools, the AACC, and co-sponsors such as Wolverine, for their dedication to making this programme successful and their help in changing the lives of so many people. This transformative effect is exactly what the band and the board had hoped for when we started this programme.”
“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 honour 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 combating 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% of donations go to the organizations it supports.
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