Montana School Benefits From Metallica’s ‘Scholars Program’

It hasn't been a secret how much work that Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam has done for the skateboarders and young kids in Montana. With the creation of his Montana Pool Service foundation, there have been skateparks built across Montana with Jeff's help.

This past summer a new skatepark opened in Arlee and according to the Char-Koosta News there are plans to have five total skateparks constructed on the Flathead Indian Reservation. There are some other rock stars that are giving back to Montana.

This summer during Montana's fire season, Tim Montana helped feed wildland firefighters that were battling wildfires in the Wise River area with the help of his Wise River Club restaurant.

Read More: Rockstar Duo Feeds Montana Firefighters: Bearded Legends Unite

Metallica is another band that is helping Montana through their All Within My Hands foundation. They have created the Metallica Scholars Program that supports workforce education. They have helped community colleges, and universities in every state across the country with financial support for students. In Montana they have teamed with the Flathead Valley Community College. I spoke with Blake Thompson the director of trades at FVCC about how much help students will be getting from the partnership with Metallica.

This is going to afford a 271 students that are all currently enrolled trade students here at FVCC with $200 each, and that's not necessarily a blank check. It's so that a student could go out and utilize that funding for a purchase of a tool, or a piece of equipment like personal protective equipment...For example a welding student, they may need some extra cash to get a decent welding hood.

The Metallica Scholars Program started in 2019 in just 10 states. By 2024 they have expanded into all 50 states and Guam and have invested more than $10 million into the program. They have teamed with both Wolverine Boots and Carhartt in supporting trade education. In honor of Labor Day, Carhartt announced that the All Within My Hands foundation was the recipient of a $250,000 grant to help "support scholarships for those seeking skilled trades in local communities across the country."

While most of the country will be celebrating Labor Day this weekend with a party or last blast barbecue, maybe you can take a minute and thank some of the people that work hard to make Montana special and that includes Metallica.