Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) was one of only 23 colleges nationwide selected from a competitive field to receive $50,000 for scholarships to transform the future of students in the community.
Funded by rock band Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH) and led by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Metallica Scholars Initiative was designed to directly support students while also elevating the importance of career and technical education. This work is highlighted at a global level by leveraging the influence of Metallica who continue to speak out on the dignity of professional trades and community colleges that prepare students.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative is now in its third year and has fundamentally improved the earning potential for students who become Metallica Scholars. This is the second year the initiative has supported ECTC students. The new funding will provide scholarships to truck driving students in the ECTC Workforce Solutions Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program as well as students in advanced manufacturing programs.
Metallica Scholars will be showcased to promote varying skilled trade pathways to economic development.
“We are thrilled to earn a second year of partnership with AWMH, AACC and Metallica to remove financial barriers for students, and at the same time, meet the workforce needs of our region’s employers,” ECTC President Dr. Juston Pate said. “As Metallica Scholars, students have an incredible opportunity to offset costs and start a new career with high earning potential in as little as four weeks.”
“As a touring entity we are in direct involvement with multiple essential career choices along our path,” said James Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist/guitarist and co-founder said. “From electrical, professional driving, culinary, mechanical maintenance, public safety, logistical organizers. And that just scratches the surface. Those, along with a multitude of other technical careers, make our touring and our performances possible. We are passionate and grateful to these trades and tradespeople.”
The application for new scholarships funded by the Metallica Scholars Initiative is available at elizabethtown.kctcs.edu/metallica. New and current students should apply by August 20.
ECTC will award a total of $65,000 in scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year. Scholarships are expected to be awarded in the amount of $3,000 or $500 for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) scholarships and $500 for advanced manufacturing scholarships in the following programs:
- Air Conditioning Technology – Industrial tracks
- Electrical Technology – Industrial tracks
- Engineering and Electronics Technology – Robotics and Automation, Instrumentation tracks
- Industrial Maintenance Technology
- Computerized Manufacturing and Machining
- Computer Aided Drafting and Design
- Welding Technology
For more information about the Metallica Scholars Initiative programs and scholarships, contact Mike Hazzard or the ECTC Financial Aid Office at 270-769-2371.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
