The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) has been selected as one of 18 community colleges nationwide to receive a grant from the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).
CCRI was awarded $75,000 to provide financial support for students enrolled in the college’s medical assistant and patient support specialist workforce training programs.
The grant, part of the All Within My Hands Foundation’s initiative, aims to support workforce education and bridge the talent gap in the American workforce.
Rosemary A. Costigan, Interim President of CCRI, expressed gratitude for the award, stating, “This generous support underscores CCRI’s unwavering commitment to building a robust talent pipeline that meets the needs of Rhode Island’s healthcare industry.”
Launched in 2019, MSI began with 10 colleges and primarily manufacturing programs. It has since expanded to offer diverse workforce opportunities in 30 fields of study, including construction, healthcare, and engineering.
James “Papa Het” Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist and guitarist, emphasized the initiative’s goal of breaking the stigma surrounding trade skills. “Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills,” Hetfield said.
The initiative has grown significantly since its inception. By the end of its sixth year, MSI estimates it will have helped more than 8,000 students gain skills to assist in finding meaningful jobs and careers.
Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), congratulated the newest MSI colleges. “This work helps to advance skills education and the nation’s workforce pipeline,” Bumphus said.
The All Within My Hands Foundation has invested over $10.5 million in the American workforce to date, reaffirming its commitment to career and technical education at the local level.
Peter Delgrosso, executive director of All Within My Hands, announced a significant milestone for the foundation. “I am so proud and honored to be able to announce entrance into all 50 states,” Delgrosso said.
CCRI enrolls nearly 18,000 students in credit-bearing degree and certificate programs and an additional 8,500 individuals in workforce development programs and adult education courses annually.
The college’s Division of Workforce Partnerships collaborates closely with industry and business leaders to ensure its offerings meet both current and future workforce needs.
Among the manufacturing and trades programs offered at CCRI are CNC Manufacturing, Electrical Apprenticeship, OSHA 10, Process Technology, Water Treatment and Distribution, and various maritime trades, including Sheet Metal, Electrical, and Pipefitting.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative is a partnership between All Within My Hands and the American Association of Community Colleges. It focuses on supporting non-traditional students, including those with families to support or first-generation college students.
AWMH and AACC aim to connect students to skill-building opportunities while utilizing the community college system, which they consider the most affordable, flexible, and industry-relevant applied-learning training provider in the country.
Since its inception, AWMH has raised over $15 million, providing significant grants to career and technical education programs, combating food insecurity, and aiding disaster relief efforts.
The AACC, as the voice of the nation’s community colleges, advocates for community colleges to ensure they have the resources needed to increase economic mobility for more than 10 million diverse students.
With this grant, CCRI joins a growing network of community colleges across the nation that are working to provide essential skills and knowledge to students, paving the way for successful careers in high-demand fields like healthcare.
The initiative’s expansion into all 50 states marks a significant step in its mission to support workforce education and bridge the talent gap in various industries across the United States.
As the Metallica Scholars Initiative continues to grow, it is changing perceptions about trade skills and providing crucial support to students seeking to build careers in these vital fields.
