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Supporting Workforce Education

What Is The Metallica Scholars Initiative?

Metallica Scholars is a major workforce education initiative that provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. These programs provide skills and services to students looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program.

In 2019, ten colleges from across the country received $100,000 each to support more than 1,000 students training to enter the American workforce. Year one of the program proved so successful it prompted us to expand the program to 15 schools in year two (2020). We launched year three on May 25, 2021, by adding eight schools, bringing MSI to 23 schools nationwide. In year four, we proudly broadened our reach to support 32 schools in 27 states as the number of students supported grew. Reaffirming our commitment to career and technical education on July 26, 2023, 11 new colleges were added, bringing our programs into 42 schools in 33 states in year five, and over 5,000 students received our support.

On July 22, 2024, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, we embarked on our largest grant. With $2.6M committed and more than $10M invested since inception, the Metallica Scholars Initiative expanded nationwide into all 50 states for year six.

“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.”

- James Hetfield

How Are Schools Selected?

AWMH partners with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the primary advocacy organization for the nation's more than 1,000 community colleges, to determine Metallica Scholars grant recipients. Schools are selected through a competitive application process before receiving the award, which is designed to support relevant job skill training for community college students, reinvest in communities that supported Metallica during its recent United States tours, and leverage Metallica's influence to elevate the importance of career and technical education.

See a complete list of schools at the bottom of this page.

Get To Know Our Students

Check out our Scholars Spotlight to meet some students who have shared their stories with us.

They come from different backgrounds and have selected different fields of study, but they share the common goal of investing in their futures for themselves and their families. Read their stories to find out in their own words how the Metallica Scholars funding makes a difference in their lives and educational paths.

We continue to be inspired by each of them and are honored to assist them in their educational pursuits.

Support For Our Scholars

We have been fortunate to attract the attention of some major players in the workwear industry, who have made significant contributions to our workforce education program. Over several years and fundraising campaigns supporting our Metallica Scholars, both Carhartt and Wolverine have established themselves as long-term, invaluable partners, helping us train the skilled trade professionals of tomorrow.

What Schools Are Supported?

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