BCC Joins Nationally Recognized Metallica Scholars Initiative

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced its selection as one of eighteen new schools to join the eighth year of the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI).

Supported by a $75,000 grant aimed at enhancing the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) program that is offered by the College and has seen successful graduation and placement rates for the past couple of years. These funds will allow the College to train three more cohorts of EMTs, which are needed in the Berkshires and beyond.

"Receiving this grant is so exciting, not only because we here at BCC get to tell folks that we have received funding to support our community EMTs from the one and only Metallica," Linda Clairmont, Executive Director of Workforce and Community Education at BCC said. "But because we have seen cuts to our grant funding in Workforce and having the resources to train more cohorts of EMTs is critical, and this lifeline is helping us fill those gaps, for which we are so grateful."

All Within My Hands (AWMH), the non-profit, philanthropic organization created by the members and management of Metallica, announced the eighth year of its Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) with its largest grant to date: over $3.3M. 18 new US schools will join the returning 75 colleges in the fall for a total of 93 in the program.

In addition, later this year the Metallica Scholars Initiative will also expand to the United Kingdom in partnership with Capital City College Group in London. 

"This thing started as a dream. Now our program is changing lives. To expand our impact on a global scale and support even more students is so rewarding,"Metallica's James Hetfield said. "We're so proud of all the Metallica Scholars who have come through it and all the ones who will participate in it. It's humbling to know we've been part of the journey of thousands of trade professionals doing good, hard work in the world."  

AWMH continues to work closely with its long-time partner, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Launched in 2019 by All Within My Hands, MSI's core focus is supporting conventional trades, including welders, plumbers, and electricians, while also adding fields that will generate the jobs of tomorrow. The workforce initiative continues to evolve, supporting diverse fields for students interested in gaining the skills and training necessary to establish meaningful careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Year 8 includes a wide range of fields, including nursing and healthcare, optical systems technology, automotive repair, maritime manufacturing, firefighting and EMT, pipefitting, and agricultural pathways. 

Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, President and CEO, AACC, said: "The continued growth of the Metallica Scholars Initiative is a powerful testament to what's possible when visionary philanthropy and community colleges come together around a shared mission.  Through this partnership, 13,000 community college students have already been supported across the country, earning the skills needed for in- demand careers with family-sustaining wages. This latest, generous investment by Metallica's foundation will reach more learners, while strengthening the workforce pipelines that power local economies. We are proud to partner with All Within My Hands to scale this impact, ensuring even more students have access to life-changing opportunities in the skilled trades and beyond."

The initiative's eighth iteration also marks the renewal of AWMH's partnerships with Carhartt, Wolverine, CNH Construction, and Upstaging, Inc., as well as the addition of the Foundation's newest partner, ServiceTitan. These corporate partners complement the Foundation's Executive and Advisory Board Members and the broader Metallica Family, all of whom have played a role in advancing AWMH's mission and driving its success.

Peter Delgrosso, Executive Director, AWMH, said: "Metallica Scholars Year 8 will see our largest-scale growth yet, as we anticipate supporting close to 4,000 new students in the United States and more than 1,000 learners in the UK. This represents an approximate 40% increase in our student body, something we are incredibly excited about. Supporting people of all ages entering and ascending through trades is the right thing to do, not just domestically, but also abroad. Our Metallica Scholars have demonstrated resilience and a strong determination to succeed, which in turn motivates us to match their ambition."

Newly Added Metallica Scholar Colleges:

• Barton Community College - Great Bend, KS

• Berkshire Community College - Pittsfield, MA

• Central Maine Community College - Auburn, ME

• Delaware County Community College - Media, PA

• Dutchess Community College - Fairview, NY               

• Fletcher Technical Community College - Terrebonne Parish, LA         

• Lake Region State College - Devils Lake, ND

• Metropolitan Community College - Kansas City, MO

• Monroe Community College - Rochester, NY                     

• Moraine Valley Community College - Palos Hills, IL

• North Central State College - Mansfield, OH        

• Northeast State Community College - Blountville, TN

• Northwest Mississippi Community College - Senatobia, MS

• Raritan Valley Community College - Branchburg Township, NJ

• Riverside City College - Riverside, CA

• South Texas College - McAllen, TX

• Trident Technical College - North Charleston, SC

• William Rainey Harper College - Palatine, IL

For a complete list of all 93 colleges currently supported by AWMH, visit allwithinmyhands.org/metallica-scholars.

Allendale Pines North Affordable Manufactured Homes Sell Fast

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:17PM / Saturday, August 22, 2026

Developer Teton Management cut the ribbon on the first six hopes in the manufactured housing community earlier this year. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Just a few months after Allendale Pines North cut the ribbon on its first six homes in the new manufactured home community, units in the planned development are selling fast with both first and second phases all but sold out.

 

For several years, Teton Management Corp. has been planning to expand its existing Allendale Pines Mobile Community with the development of 22 planned manufactured housing units. The new development has its own entrance at 395 Cheshire Road. 

 

The need for attainable housing has never been higher, Teton President George Whaling said. 

 

"And where we sought the opportunity to help with that demand is, we can get folks into a home at Allendale Pines North for essentially a couple of $100 less than what it would cost for someone to rent a three-bedroom of the same quality," he said. 

 

The corporation took over Allendale Pines, now referred to as Allendale Pines South, about 6 1/2 years ago, Whaling said. 

 

Since then, the corporation has invested $1,000,001 in infrastructure improvements, including replacing all water and sewer lines, paving the community and installing the infrastructure needed for 10 additional units, he said. 

 

Additionally, it has been working to clean up and improve the community, which was lacking during previous ownership, said Jason Nocher, owner of Nocher Realty, which has been hired to help sell the units.