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
