BRANCHBURG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Raritan Valley Community College has been selected to join the Metallica Scholars Initiative and will receive a $75,000 grant to support workforce training for students interested in careers in the biopharmaceutical industry.
RVCC is one of 18 new U.S. schools joining the initiative this year. The program, now in its eighth year, was founded by All Within My Hands, the nonprofit organization created by the members and management of Metallica.
The grant will support 20 students in a two-tier educational pathway through RVCC’s Workforce Training Center. Participants will receive training leading to certifications in Good Manufacturing Practices Professional and Pharmaceutical Aseptic Cleaning and Processing.
“It’s an incredible honor to be selected among the colleges joining the esteemed Metallica Scholars Initiative,” said RVCC President Michael J. McDonough. “We appreciate that Metallica understands the importance of the trades and workforce education in today’s world, and this generous funding will enable Raritan Valley Community College to prepare students for sought-after roles in New Jersey’s rapidly expanding biopharmaceutical industry.”
The training is designed to prepare students for positions including entry-level lab technicians, cleanroom operators and biomanufacturing technicians. Students will also receive career support, including resume development, mock interviews and opportunities to connect with potential employers.
“Many of the state’s employers consistently report critical workforce shortages in entry-level lab technicians and cleanroom operators, including those trained in Good Manufacturing Practices and aseptic environments. The Metallica Scholars Initiative will help RVCC address those vital employment needs,” said Conrad Mercurius, Executive Director of Workforce Development and Career Education at RVCC.
The Metallica Scholars Initiative is providing more than $3.3 million in grants this year, its largest amount to date. The 18 new U.S. schools will join 75 returning colleges, bringing the program to 93 schools. The initiative also plans to expand to the United Kingdom later this year through a partnership with Capital City College Group in London.
“This thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding. We’re so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It’s humbling to know we’ve been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world,” said Metallica’s James Hetfield.
Launched in 2019, the initiative works with the American Association of Community Colleges to support education and training for skilled trades and other in-demand careers. Fields supported this year include nursing and health care, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and emergency medical services, pipefitting, agricultural pathways and optical systems technology.
“The continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what’s possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission,” said Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC. “Through this partnership, 13,000 community college students have already been supported across the country, earning the skills needed for in-demand careers with family-sustaining wages. This latest, generous investment by Metallica’s foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies. We are proud to partner with All Within My Hands to scale this impact, ensuring even more students have access to life-changing opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond.”
Organizers anticipate supporting nearly 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 in the United Kingdom during the initiative’s eighth year.
“Metallica Scholars Year 8 will see our largest-scale growth yet, as we anticipate supporting close to 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 learners in the UK. This represents an approximate 40% increase in our student body, something we are incredibly excited about,” said Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH. “Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad. Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition.”
A complete list of the 93 participating colleges is available at AllWithinMyHands.org/metallica-scholars.
