Friday, February 14, 2020
Metallica is giving North Idaho College an encore.
The heavy metal band’s All Within My Hands Foundation recently announced that NIC was once again a recipient of a Metallica Scholars Initiative grant, which will provide $50,000 through the NIC Foundation to support students training to enter the workforce. The NIC Foundation will contribute matching scholarship dollars, doubling the opportunity.
Created through a partnership between All Within My Hands and the American Association of Community Colleges, the aim of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is to elevate the importance and dignity of career and technical education.
“This has been a tremendous partnership that has enabled us to reach more students, bettering lives and providing the community with a qualified workforce,” said NIC President Rick MacLennan.
Last year, NIC was one of just 10 schools nationwide selected for this highly competitive grant, receiving $100,000 to support students in manufacturing programs. In addition to NIC, neighboring institution Spokane Community Colleges was also selected.
“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.”
To date, the project has served more than 700 Metallica Scholars across the country, including almost 100 manufacturing students here in North Idaho. The impact of the support was significant: Participants reported an overall program completion rate of 80 to 90 percent, and a 95 percent job placement rate for graduates.
“The Metallica Scholars funds now apply to 13 of our career and technical education programs in Year Two,” said Pat O’Halloran, NIC aerospace director and grant coordinator. “Our students in manufacturing, transportation, and construction will have excellent opportunities in fall semester 2020.”
Current NIC students in trades and industry programs and new students planning to attend in the fall can apply for scholarships now through the NIC website at www.nic.edu/metallica.