Metallica gives college $100K for 'heavy metal' classes

Metallica Scholars Initiatives awards grant to Clackamas Community College in Oregon City

Education at Clackamas Community College just got a bit more heavy metal.

The school in Oregon City received a grant for its career technical education programs from the Metallica Scholars Initiative, funded by the band Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation. CCC will use the funds to create additional opportunities for students working with metals and other CTE programs.

Clackamas Community College was one of 10 community colleges from across the U.S. chosen to receive a $100,000 grant from the All Within My Hands Foundation to support students who wish to work in the trades. These students will become the first cohort of Metallica Scholars.

According to a press release, the grant 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."

Clackamas Community College will use the funds to purchase tools, textbooks and personal protective equipment for low-income students studying computer numerical control, industrial technology, welding and automotive technology. Additionally, CCC's group of Metallica Scholars will receive assistance with resumes, preparing for interviews, job placement and career coaching.

Metallica drummer and co-founder Lars Ulrich said the group opted to support workforce education because "All of us in the band feel fortunate that music has provided us the opportunity to be successful doing something we are passionate about. We want to share our success with others so that they can find a job where they can do the same."