ECTC Announces Funding by Metallica Scholars Initiative
The band Metallica, universally acclaimed for rocking heavy metal music and spectacular performances, is also extremely committed to improving the lives of hard-working Americans. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) is thrilled to announce that, thanks to Metallica, ECTC students will have the opportunity to become Metallica Scholars and “Ride the Lightning” in the college’s new “Ride the Lightning Learning Lab” for advanced manufacturing careers. ECTC recently was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, funded by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation (AWMH). The grant provides funding for the Learning Lab, as well as $50,000 in scholarships for eligible students, who will rock the name “Metallica Scholars.” The ECTC Learning Lab is named “Ride the Lightning” after one of the band’s popular albums.
Created in 2019, the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a partnership between the band’s All Within My Hands foundation (AWMH) and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a Washington, D.C.-based organization representing the country’s more than 1000 community colleges. AACC delivers educational and economic opportunity for nearly 12 million diverse student in search of the American Dream.
Fifteen colleges from communities that had supported Metallica during its recent U.S. tours were selected via a competitive application process, each receiving $100,000 from the Foundation and matched funds toward programs designed to support students training to enter the American workforce. This is the second year that the foundation has awarded the grants. Ten grants were awarded in the first year.
“Our 2019 Metallica Scholars have exceeded expectations and inspired us in more ways than we could have possibly imagined,” Metallica’s Lars Ulrich said. “We’re really excited to be able to expand the initiative in its second year, assisting more students in achieving their dreams and transforming their lives in 2020.”
This major workforce education initiative provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. These programs provide skills and services to students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program. ECTC is one of 15 partner community colleges from across the country and the first in Kentucky to receive a grant from Metallica.
“ECTC is excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with AACC, AWMH, and, of course, the great band Metallica, to support our students’ success,” said Dr. Juston Pate, ECTC President. “All of the partners in this collaboration understand the critical role that education and training plays in creating thriving families and communities. This initiative can make mobile delivery of technical education a model for other community colleges in Kentucky and across the country.”
Partnering with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), a Washington, D.C.-based organization that represents the nation’s 1,103 community colleges, the Metallica Scholars awards are designed to provide support of relevant job skill training for community college students, reinvest in communities that supported Metallica during its recent United States tours, and leverage the influence of Metallica to elevate the importance of career and technical education. AACC advocates for 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.
“The colossal reputation of Metallica has given these colleges, and the careers they are supporting, new life and attention,” said Jennifer Worth, AACC Senior Vice President, Workforce and Economic Development. “It has been an honor and a privilege to have the band’s and foundation board of directors’ trust to design and implement programs that will change the lives of hard working Americans looking to advance.”
ECTC’s “Ride the Lightning Learning Lab” will provide opportunities for Metallica Scholars as well as other current and prospective ECTC students to continue their education through mobile, on-site skills training and testing. Advanced manufacturing programs include:
- Air Conditioning Technology -industrial
- Electrical Technology – industrial
- Engineering and Electronics Technology – Robotics and Automation, Instrumentation tracks
- Industrial Maintenance Technology
- Computerized Manufacturing and Machining
- Compute
- r Aided Drafting and Design
- Welding Technology
The unit will offer flexible delivery of courses that align with students’ and employers’ needs and reinforce the college’s commitment to meeting students where they are.
Rick Games, President of the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation, is excited about this new opportunity for our communities. “Advanced manufacturing is a key driver of our region’s economy, and we’re thrilled to be working with Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation and AACC to encourage more students to pursue career opportunities in this field. These are high-wage, high-demand positions which require skills that can be learned right here in our local community at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. With the financial support available to Metallica Scholars, it is more affordable than ever to pursue training in engineering and electronics, industrial maintenance, computerized manufacturing, industrial air conditioning technology, computer aided drafting, or welding. We look forward to introducing Metallica Scholars to employers who are in need of their skills so students can make a seamless transition into their careers.”
The AACC/AWMH Foundation’s grant will establish an advanced manufacturing Scholarship Fund to pay partial tuition for those students who may not be eligible for the Work Ready Scholarship. Scholarships will range from $500 – $2500 for up to 60 students. Students are encouraged to apply for the Metallica Scholars scholarship for the 2020-2021 school.
For more information and to apply for a scholarship to become a Metallica Scholar, visit the ECTC Metallica Scholars webpage at elizabethtown.kctcs.edu/metallica.