Central ND News

Bismarck State College (BSC) has been awarded a $50,000 grant through the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), making it the only college in North Dakota selected for Year 7 of the program. The funding will support scholarships for students enrolled in BSC’s Industrial Automation & Robotics, Mechanical Maintenance Technology, and Automotive Collision Technology programs for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The scholarship offers up to $1,500 per student for those enrolling full-time in one of the qualifying programs. Applications are open until September 5, 2025 and can be completed at bismarckstate.edu/MetallicaScholars.

“Being selected once again as a Metallica Scholars Initiative college is a powerful endorsement of the work we’re doing to prepare students for in-demand careers. This funding allows us to remove barriers, elevate hands-on training, and ensure more students gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in high-wage, high-tech industries,” said Alicia Uhde, BSC interim vice president for academic affairs.

This marks the second consecutive year that BSC has received funding from MSI. The initiative is run by All Within My Hands (AWMH), a non-profit founded by members and management of Metallica. In its seventh year, MSI is providing its largest total grant yet—about $3 million—to 75 colleges across all U.S. states and Guam, with an expected reach of around 10,000 students. More information on participating schools is available at https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars/.

“We’re grateful to All Within My Hands for recognizing the transformative impact colleges like BSC have for our students, our industries and our community,” said Uhde.

Robert Trujillo of Metallica commented on the program’s growth: “I could not be any prouder of our Metallica Scholars. We know that our country needs millions of skilled tradespeople, and it warms my heart to know that our Foundation’s efforts are making a positive impact and putting hard-working people on the path to careers in the trades. Whether it’s a school visit or a meet and greet before a show, there is no better feeling than meeting our Metallica Scholars in person and hearing their stories of grit and determination firsthand, along with their pride and commitment. It is truly inspiring. To think we started with a few schools and a couple hundred students, and we’re now in 75 schools nationwide, about to reach 10,000 students. It’s just incredible.”

Since launching in 2019 with ten colleges focused mainly on manufacturing fields, MSI has expanded to include diverse training opportunities designed to help students pursue careers that offer family-sustaining wages.

An independent study conducted earlier this year by the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy found that graduates from MSI-supported programs see strong returns on investment: for every dollar spent on these programs’ costs, graduates earn an average of 8.3 times that amount during their first year after graduation.

“2025 is a watershed moment for the Metallica Scholars Initiative,” stated Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director at All Within My Hands. “With the addition of 15 new schools this fall and USC’s independent research articulating the strength of our results, we are eager to tackle the quantifiable shortage of skilled labor our nation faces. If we extrapolate these ROI numbers over a career, it demonstrates how effective and profitable learning a trade can be for the individual, and how society as a whole also benefits from community college graduates. This insight will profoundly affect MSI going forward, impacting how people view careers in the trades, encouraging more corporate and individual sponsorship, and driving its advancement across the country. We're thrilled to incorporate these findings into this year’s planning and expansion.”

This year also renews AWMH's partnership with Lowe's Foundation—which has committed $50 million over five years toward preparing workers for skilled trades—including $1 million directed specifically toward MSI programming.

Other partners supporting AWMH include Carhartt, Wolverine workwear brands as well as CNH Industrial; together with supporters from within Metallica's fanbase they continue working towards expanding access to skilled trades education nationwide.