Polk State receives $25,000 for College’s third year as part of Metallica Scholars program

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

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Polk State College is kicking off its third year as part of the Metallica Scholar program and is receiving $25,000 to transform the future of students in the community. This builds upon the $100,000 Polk State College received in 2020 and the $50,000 received in 2021 to provide students with Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining training at no cost to them.

Since establishing the Metallica Scholars Initiative in 2019, All Within My Hands (AWMH) has worked with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to provide direct support for career and technical education programs across the U.S. Having grown from a concept to a thriving educational strategy that focuses on enhancing skills while providing services to students looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program, the Metallica Scholars Initiative has generated a proven and measurable impact. AWMH will replicate the program further by adding 10 more schools to the roster, investing $1.8 million to expand in year four.

“Our goal for the Metallica Scholars Initiative is to shine a light on workforce education and support the next generation of tradespeople. With the addition of the 2022-2023 Metallica Scholars program, our grants will reach more than 2,000 men and women in 32 community colleges across 27 states. We are honored to support these students of all ages and backgrounds and look forward to growing the program even farther in the future,” said Pete Delgrosso, Executive Director for All Within My Hands.

Direct impact on job and wage growth drives the Metallica Scholars Initiative. On average, students who complete the program see new job opportunities and increased salary potential up to three times higher than pre-program. Polk State College will continue to focus its efforts on providing valuable CNC Machining training. The College’s goal is to elevate students’ skill sets by meeting industry standards and raising the level of academic programs offered.

“Polk State is honored to participate in the Metallica Scholars program for the College’s third year, which will provide more students with valuable training and the opportunity to obtain high-wage, in-demand careers, transforming the trajectory of their lives and filling critical workforce needs,” Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti said. “I am grateful to Metallica, All Within My Hands, and the American Association of Community Colleges for spearheading such a powerful initiative.”

Funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) and led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative is designed to directly support students while elevating the importance of career and technical education. Metallica continues to use its global platform to speak out on the dignity of professional trades and community colleges that prepare students.

Working closely with the AACC, a Washington, D.C.-based advocate for not-for-profit, public-serving institutions, AWMH has selected 10 schools to receive $100,000 each to transform the future of students in their communities. The extensive proposal process received an incredible amount of interest, and the applications were of the highest quality. Each of the 10 institutions chosen intends to prioritize students interested in the skilled trades as a pathway to economic development.

“The Metallica Scholars program has proven to provide significant resources for community college students looking to learn the skills needed for today’s workforce,” said Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s President and CEO. “We are honored to partner with the All Within My Hands Foundation to continue to expand this opportunity for community colleges and their students.”

The 10 schools are:

The newly added community colleges are joining an already established core of 22 schools that have been invited to continue as Metallica Scholars schools. Each year, the returning colleges play an integral role in onboarding to help the new schools hit the ground running.

The returning schools are:

The 32 colleges across the country are encouraged to use the AWMH grant as the local industry dictates in terms of program and training. To provide skilled and educated tradespeople ready for the local workforce, Metallica Scholars programs include:

Automation and Robotics
Automotive Technology
Aviation
Computer-Aided Drafting & Design
Computerized Manufacturing (CNC)
Construction Technology & Carpentry
Diesel Technology
Electrical Engineering
Healthcare
Heating & Ventilation (HVAC)
Heavy Equipment Operator
Hospitality
Industrial Maintenance Technology
Manufacturing & Machining
Mechanical Design
Mechatronics Engineering
Process Technology
Trucking
Welding

More information about the Metallica Scholars program is available at AllWithinMyHands.org/Metallica-Scholars. Information specific to the Metallica Scholars program at Polk State is available at polk.edu/metallica.

About All Within My Hands (AWMH)

Established by the members and management of Metallica in 2017 as a means to invest in the people and places that have supported the band, the Foundation is focused on supporting 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.

About American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)

As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the AACC delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students searching for the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s nearly 1,100 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.