Middlesex Community College is proud to announce its selection as one of the community colleges invited to join Year 7 of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI). Supported by a generous grant aimed at enhancing training in soldering and electronics, MCC’s program supports current Middlesex students with demonstrated financial need. The program provides students with the skills needed to enter Computer Aided Design (CAD) Technician and Engineering Technician jobs, as well as access to MCC STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) faculty involved in the Metallica Scholars Initiative.
“Congratulations to Metallica’s Foundation, All Within My Hands, for being on track to reach 10,000 students at the end of year 7,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Workforce Development. “AWMH has made a tremendous impact locally for four years at MCC, providing funding for hands-on technical training to prepare our students to work at employer partners throughout our region. We are forever grateful for the support AWMH has provided to our MCC students.”
All Within My Hands (AWMH), the nonprofit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, recently announced its Year 7 of MSI with its largest grant to date, totaling approximately $3 million. MSI now has a presence in 75 colleges across all 50 United States and the territory of Guam, and is expected to reach approximately 10,000 students.
“I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars,” said Robert Trujillo, Metallica Band Member. “We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.”
Launched in 2019 by AWMH, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), MSI began with 10 colleges focused primarily on Manufacturing programs. The workforce initiative has since expanded to offer opportunities in diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages.
To evaluate the program's efficacy, the University of Southern California (USC) Sol Price School of Public Policy independently researched and quantified MSI’s impact on the skilled trades and the return on investment (ROI) earlier this year. The research extended into all Year 6community colleges, covering more than 350 fields of study at these institutions, measuring the cost of completion and anticipated salaries post-graduation. The key observation is that the ROI – the ratio of a program’s cost to anticipated median wage – across all MSI-supported programs is a very high and cost-efficient 8.3X. This means that on average, MSI graduates can expect to earn 8.3X the upfront cost of their program during their first year in the workforce.
“2025 is a watershed moment for the Metallica Scholars Initiative,” said Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, All Within My Hands. “With the addition of 15 new schools this fall and USC’s independent research articulating the strength of our results, we are eager to tackle the quantifiable shortage of skilled labor our nation faces. If we extrapolate these ROI numbers over a career, it demonstrates how effective and profitable learning a trade can be for the individual, and how society as a whole also benefits from community college graduates. This insight will profoundly affect MSI going forward, impacting how people view careers in the trades, encouraging more corporate and individual sponsorship, and driving its advancement across the country. We're thrilled to incorporate these findings into this year’s planning and expansion.”
Year 7 also marks the renewal of AWMH’s partnership with the Lowe’s Foundation, which has provided $1 million in support as part of its five-year, $50 million commitment to prepare 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.
It takes a village to achieve these results, including the continued support from many long-time corporate partners of AWMH, notably workwear manufacturers Carhartt, Wolverine, and CNH, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment. The aforementioned, along with the extended Metallica Family of fans, have staunchly supported AWMH from day one and worked tirelessly to advance its mission.
View a complete list of all 75 colleges currently supported by AWMH!
Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!
All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of Metallica and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the Foundation supports. To date, All Within My Hands’ collective efforts have granted over $25M – providing $13.5M in grants to career and technical education programs, over $7.5M to combat food insecurity, and more than $5M to disaster relief efforts. To learn more about All Within My Hands, visit AllWithinMyHands.org and follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
About American Association of Community Colleges
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely 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, 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.