Middlesex Community College Returns for Year Five of All Within My Hands’ Metallica Scholars

Submitted by Middlesex Community College

Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Middlesex Community College has been invited to return for year five and will continue to receive Metallica Scholars funding to enhance career and technical education programs.

“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is so important to us because we are seeing results,” said Lars Ulrich of Metallica. “Five years in, with the help of community colleges across the country, we are helping people fill these essential jobs which require skills and training. We are so proud and grateful that we can facilitate this program.”

“Middlesex is honored to once again receive funding from the Metallica Scholars Initiative and to be part of a prestigious cohort of community colleges across the country supported by the historic band Metallica,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’s President. “In our first year, we developed a training program to provide eligible students with the skills necessary to work in the manufacturing field. Thanks to our Corporate and Community Education and Training division, as well as local community partners, a population of students who needed the support most were able to jumpstart their careers in this in-demand field, gaining hands-on experience and knowledge that will get them hired into stable, well-paying positions.”

With the grant funding, MCC worked with MassHire Lowell Career Center to identify students who were low-income, underemployed or unemployed. Students received a holistic training, working hands-on with software and materials they will use in the field. They also gained access to career advising, professional development, and student support services, including tutoring.

The Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) was launched in 2019 by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). The workforce initiative marks its fifth year with an ambitious expansion into new curricula. MSI now directly supports 42 community colleges across 33 states, and by the end of this year, it will have helped over 6,000 students pursuing careers in the trades. To date, Metallica and AWMH have invested over $6MM in the American workforce.

Reaffirming a commitment to career and technical education at the local level, each new school brings incredible opportunities to a thriving and growing community.

“The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a strong and cooperative assemblage of the nation’s best community colleges, creating a supportive climate for participants to communicate directly and share best practices,” said Peter Delgrosso, AWMH Executive Director. “As a result, our Metallica Scholars leave the program well-trained and confident. Ultimately, the impact is felt locally and nationally as Metallica Scholars enter the workforce and fill in-demand technical positions.” 

The 11 schools joining MSI this year include:

• Aiken Technical College – Aiken, South Carolina
• Central Wyoming College – Riverton, Wyoming
• Columbia State Community College – Columbia, Tennessee
• Front Range Community College – Westminster, Colorado
• Itawamba Community College – Fulton, Mississippi
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College – Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Oxnard College (Ventura County Community College District) – Oxnard, California
• South Central College – North Mankato, Minnesota
• South Louisiana Community College – Lafayette, Louisiana
• Texas State Technical College – Waco, Texas
• Western Dakota Technical College – Rapid City, South Dakota

These newly added colleges are joining a roster of veteran schools invited to continue in the program. Each year, the returning colleges play an integral part in helping guide the success of the new schools. 

The 31 returning schools include:

• Clark State Community College – Springfield, Ohio 
• Central Community College – Grand Island, Nebraska
• Central Piedmont Community College – Charlotte, North Carolina
• Clackamas Community College – Oregon City, Oregon
• Clinton Community College – Clinton, Iowa
• College of Lake County – Grayslake, Illinois
• Columbia Gorge Community College – The Dalles, Oregon
• Community College of Baltimore County – Baltimore, Maryland
• East Central College – Union, Missouri 
• Elizabethtown Community & Technical College – Elizabethtown, Kentucky
• Gateway Technical College – Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Grand Rapids Community College – Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown, North Carolina 
• Hudson County Community College – Jersey City, New Jersey 
• Lone Star College – The Woodlands, Texas
• Middlesex Community College – Bedford, Massachusetts 
• Milwaukee Area Technical College – Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
• Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College – Perkinston, Mississippi 
• Northern Virginia Community College – Annandale, Virginia
• Northwest-Shoals Community College – Muscle Shoals, Alabama
• Pima Community College – Tucson, Arizona
• Polk State College – Winter Haven, Florida
• Rockland Community College – Suffern, New York 
• Salt Lake Community College – Salt Lake City, Utah 
• San Juan College – Farmington, New Mexico
• Spokane Community College – Spokane, Washington
• Valencia College – Orlando, Florida
• Victor Valley College – Victorville, California
• West Virginia University Parkersburg – Parkersburg, Wes Virginia
• Westchester Community College – Valhalla, New York
• WSU-Tech – Wichita, Kansas

What began with ten colleges and mostly manufacturing programs has developed into a diverse offering of workforce opportunities for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to find meaningful and well-paying careers in fields and positions including:

Agriculture
Automation and Robotics
Automotive Technology
Aviation, Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Carpentry
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Cybersecurity
Diesel Technology
Dental Hygiene
Electrical Engineering
EMT
Fire Technology
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Lineworker
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking (CDL)
Welding
Wind Energy

ABOUT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES (AACC)

As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges leads, advocates, and advances the nation’s community colleges.  Uniquely American, community colleges deliver educational and economic opportunities for more than 10 million diverse students annually. 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, DC, AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support to increase economic mobility for all.

ABOUT ALL WITHIN MY HANDS (AWMH)

All Within My Hands was established in 2017 by Metallica to invest in the people and places that have supported the band. It also allows Metallica’s fans to engage in philanthropy and volunteerism. The Foundation is dedicated to creating sustainable communities through workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 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. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!