East Central College renewed its partnership with Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH), which has already helped 80 students pursue a degree or certificate in advanced manufacturing programs.

ECC is beginning its third year as a Metallica Scholars college. The College has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships to students in high-demand fields. ECC is the only college in Missouri that is part of the Metallica Scholars Initiative.

“We are thrilled to continue our journey with the Metallica Scholars Initiative for a third year. This initiative has been instrumental in delivering exceptional educational opportunities that lead to rewarding careers. Over the first two years, we have provided scholarships to 80 students, empowering them to succeed and thrive in high-demand fields,” said ECC President Dr. Jon Bauer.

Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with 10 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.

Additional curricula will include construction, health care, and engineering, contributing to more than 25 fields of study offered within the Initiative. To date, AWMH has invested over $10.5M in the American workforce, reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level.

At ECC, scholarships are available to students in Welding, Industrial Maintenance and Robotics, HVAC, Applied Technology, and Precision Machining. Metallica Scholarship applications for the fall semester are due Aug. 15.

To find the scholarship application, read testimonies from scholarship recipients, and learn about the Season Kickoff Music Festival, with proceeds supporting the Metallica Scholars Initiative, visit www.eastcentral.edu/metallica.

Growing Initiative

James “Papa Het” Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist and guitarist, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative’s growth: “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.”

“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.

About All Within My Hands

All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization created by Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. Since its inception, AWMH has raised over $15 million, providing significant grants to career and technical education programs, combatting food insecurity, and aiding disaster relief efforts.

About AACC

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the voice of the nation’s community colleges, delivering educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students. AACC advocates for community colleges to ensure they have the resources needed to increase economic mobility for all.