(Story courtesy Aiken Technical College. File photo by Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News)
GRANITEVILLE, S.C. — Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide.
Aiken Technical College was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community.
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, according to an Aug. 1 news release from Aiken Tech.
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. 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.” said Peter Delgrosso, AWMH Executive Director, in the release.
“We are happy to continue to partner with Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation to support the vital career and technical education work of the nation’s community colleges,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “Colleges across the country provide pathways to well-paying jobs through programs, services and training that lead to in-demand skills, certificates and degrees for students. These programs are responsive to the needs of local businesses and provide a pipeline of qualified workers to local industry. Partners like Metallica that continue to provide support for community colleges help us to showcase the importance of investing in the transformative power of community college education.”
Aiken Tech is the first South Carolina college selected to participate in MSI.
“It is an honor to be among the 11 colleges selected for this prestigious initiative. The goals of the Metallica Scholars Initiative align perfectly with our mission to provide educational and workforce development opportunities,” said Aiken Tech President Forest E. Mahan. “Through MSI, our college has chosen to focus on building the workforce pipeline for our cyber and computer technology industries in the region by supporting students through scholarships and development opportunities and increasing overall awareness about the growing need for highly-skilled IT personnel.”
The initiative will allow Aiken Tech to support dual enrollment students participating in its cybersecurity networking pathway, students enrolled in its academic computer technology programs, and those pursuing specialized CompTIA certifications in IT through the college’s continuing education courses.
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.
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 a variety of fields.
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