When Metallica started their scholarship program six years ago, they began with just 10 schools and a focus on manufacturing training. Today, their All Within My Hands Foundation has grown into something extraordinary, committing $3 million this year to support career and technical education across 75 colleges in all 50 states and Guam. The program now reaches an estimated 10,000 students pursuing high-demand careers in fields like welding, construction, air traffic control, and advanced manufacturing.
What makes this investment even more remarkable is its proven success: an independent study found that students earn over eight times their program cost in the first year after graduation. Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo says there’s no better feeling than meeting scholarship recipients and hearing their stories of determination firsthand. From meeting students at school visits to backstage encounters before concerts, the band has witnessed how skilled trades can transform lives and build strong communities. Their foundation proves that when rock stars put their passion behind practical education, they can create opportunities that truly rock people’s worlds.