News
Rock Band Metallica Partners with Westchester Community College to Enhance Career and Technical Education Programs
July 7, 2020
Westchester Community College has been selected as a partner by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation to support students who are looking to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program.
The Metallica Scholars is a major national workforce education initiative that provides direct support to community colleges to enhance their career and technical education programs. 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 program is 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.
WCC is one of only five community colleges in the nation to be chosen this year to receive a grant of $100,000 to support this initiative. These five colleges join an additional 10 who received support from the band last year.
Westchester Community College will use this assistance to increase the number of students earning workforce credentials in high demand and emerging industries in healthcare, Information Technology, and manufacturing. Specifically, the funding will cover the costs of certification exams, exam prep, and related expenses for nearly 200 workforce program students, giving them the competitive edge when entering the workforce.
“Situated in the epicenter of New York’s coronavirus crisis, Westchester students, workers and families have been hit hard by job loss and displacement. Every sector is impacted,” said Dr. Belinda Miles, President at Westchester Community College. “This initiative will help facilitate access to career and technical education providing much needed support services. As the only college in New York State selected for this program, we look to leverage the Metallica Scholars Initiative to expand on our current and future apprenticeship program in order to accelerate the region’s return to economic health and vitality. Together, Metallica and WCC will rock the workforce!”
“Our 2019 Metallica Scholars have exceeded expectations and inspired us in more ways than we could have possibly imagined,” said Metallica’s Lars Ulrich. “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.”
Students interested in learning more about this program should visit www.sunywcc.edu/metallicascholars.
About Westchester Community College
Westchester Community College is the largest higher education institution in the county, serving over 24,000 full-time, part-time Workforce Development and continuing education students. Students pursue over 60 degree and certificate programs on a beautiful 218-acre campus, at 7 conveniently located extension centers, and online. Westchester Community College reflects the rich diversity of its region, and was the first SUNY campus to be designated an Hispanic Serving Institution.
About All Within My Hands Foundation
AWMH is a non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica 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. Please visit: AllWithinMyHands.org for more information.
About American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for nearly 12 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s more than 1,000 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. boilerplate from AACC here.