RAPID CITY, SD — The rock band Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) 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 is so important to us because we are seeing results. 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.” - Lars Ulrich, Metallica
RAPID CITY, SD — The rock band Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, continues its multimillion-dollar investment in critical workforce programs at community colleges nationwide. Among the schools, Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was selected from a competitive pool of applicants to receive $100,000 to transform the futures of students in the community.
Western Dakota Technical College plans to utilize the funds for the 2023-2024 school year to purchase tools and other supplies needed for students, such as scrubs and laptops. The college will also create a lending library for textbooks and tools, and cover the cost of first-attempt TEAS tests needed for admissions into certain healthcare programs.
“We are grateful to have the support of the Metallica higher education initiative. Metallica’s music inspires so many people in incredibly positive ways. I am truly honored that WDTC was selected to participate and am pleased to pass along the group’s positivity in the form of tools, scrubs, and equipment for students most in need of this support,” said Ann Bolman, Ed.D., WDTC president.
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. 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.” – Peter Delgrosso, AWMH Executive Director
“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.”
The 11 schools joining MSI this year include:
- Aiken Technical College - Aiken, S. C.
- Central Wyoming College – Riverton, Wyo.
- Columbia State Community College – Columbia, Tenn.
- Front Range Community College – Westminster, Colo.
- Itawamba Community College – Fulton, Miss.
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College - Green Bay, Wis.
- Oxnard College (Ventura County Community College District) – Oxnard, Calif.
- South Central College - North Mankato, Minn.
- South Louisiana Community College – Lafayette, La.
- Texas State Technical College – Waco, Texas
- Western Dakota Technical College - Rapid City, S.D.
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, Neb.
- Central Piedmont Community College - Charlotte, N.C.
- Clackamas Community College - Oregon City, Ore.
- Clinton Community College - Clinton, Iowa
- College of Lake County - Grayslake, Ill.
- Columbia Gorge Community College - The Dalles, Ore.
- Community College of Baltimore County - Baltimore, Md.
- East Central College - Union, Mo.
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College - Elizabethtown, Ky.
- Gateway Technical College - Kenosha, Wis.
- Grand Rapids Community College - Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown, N.C.
- Hudson County Community College - Jersey City, N.J.
- Lone Star College - The Woodlands, Texas
- Middlesex Community College - Lowell, Mass.
- Milwaukee Area Technical College - Milwaukee, Wis.
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College - Perkinston, Miss.
- Northern Virginia Community College - Annandale, Va.
- Northwest-Shoals Community College - Muscle Shoals, Ala.
- Pima Community College - Tucson, Ariz.
- Polk State College - Winter Haven, Fla.
- Rockland Community College - Suffern, N.Y.
- Salt Lake Community College - Salt Lake City, Utah
- San Juan College – Farmington, N.M.
- Spokane Community College - Spokane, Wash.
- Valencia College - Orlando, Fla.
- Victor Valley College - Victorville, Calif.
- West Virginia University Parkersburg - Parkersburg, W. Va.
- Westchester Community College - Valhalla, N.Y.
- WSU-Tech - Wichita, Kan.
What began with 10 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
Western Dakota Technical College offers active learning for 18 of the 29 high-paying careers identified by the Metallica Scholars Initiative.
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.
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About Western Dakota Technical College |
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Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region. WDTC offers more than 40 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies. Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Technical College's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military per the WDTC 2022 Placement Report. There were 320 respondents out of 342 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.] Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities. For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu. |
