On Friday, December 13, nine students completed Middlesex Community College’s second soldering/J-standard prep training. Fully funded by Metallica’s foundation, All Within My Hands, through the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI), the course offers students comprehensive training and real-world experiences.
“My class afforded me professional instruction as many practice boards and components as I could manage, allowing me to really improve my work,” said Finn Keane, an MCC Metallica Scholar from Groton. “There are a few projects I’ve begun that I’m already using my newly acquired skills to progress. The class is also quite useful for my resume and makes me more confident in future career prospects.”
Keane was led to Middlesex looking for guidance and the tools to enter the field. With plans to continue studying electronics, Keane believes the Metallica Scholars program has made a positive impact. For Brett Norreguard, of Lowell, the class also helped build upon the skills taught in MCC’s engineering classes.
“The class provided me with insight on what a proper engineering environment desires and needs out of its workers,” Norreguard said. “Being able to do hands-on projects is genuine fun and needed experience. I find it amazing [MCC and Metallica] provided this opportunity for us.”
In the Summer of 2022, Middlesex was selected from a competitive field of community colleges across the country to receive $100,000. With the funding, MCC’s Corporate and Community Education and Training division worked with MassHire Lowell to develop an electronics course to teach participants the knowledge and skills they need to be hired into entry-level positions in the advanced manufacturing field.
Since then, Middlesex received an additional $50,000 grant in 2023 and a $25,000 grant in 2024 from Metallica’s foundation to continue providing training opportunities.
In addition to working hands-on with software and materials used in the field, students received access to career advising, professional development, and student support services. Taught on MCC’s Bedford campus, students developed their skills with instruction provided by professor Nicoleta Cozi.
“The soldering program was such a great learning opportunity for the students, MCC offered it again immediately this Fall as our final MSI cohort of hands-on training for this program year,” said Katy Gentile, MCC’s Assistant Director of Corporate Education and Training. “All nine students plan to use their newly gains skilled as both resume builders and to incorporate into some of their current positions.”
Kevin Murphy, of Lowell, was unhappy working multiple jobs. A former marine, Murphy credits the course for setting up a successful future.
“This scholarship has helped me understand more electrical engineering aspects that are not taught in school,” Murphy said. “I did not know what to expect going into this class; however, from good teaching, I have had more confidence in soldering. My plan is to keep going to school, learn new skills, and get a job in the engineering field. Learning throughout this class has been a good experience.”
From Methuen, Liz McLaughlin wanted to learn more about the field while working full-time at an electronics company. In the class, McLaughlin enjoyed working hands-on and was proud to have taken this step.
“This was an extremely fun and informative class,” McLaughlin said. “I now have a new love of soldering and want to make it my job. Metallica is amazing and so influential. Thanks for making the world a better place – one song and scholarship at a time.”
Learn more about MCC's Metallica Scholars Initiative.
About All Within My Hands (AWMH)
Established by the members and management of Metallica in 2017 as a means to invest in the people and places that have supported the band, the Foundation is focused on supporting sustainable communities through workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. All expenses of the Foundation are covered by the band, the board, and a few special friends so that 100% of donations go to the organizations it supports. AWMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
About American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the AACC delivers educational and economic opportunity for more than 10 million diverse students searching for the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s nearly 1,100 member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C. AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all.