About The Metallica Skilled Trades Academy
The Community College of Allegheny County is the first community college in Pennsylvania selected to receive a grant from the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) and All Within My Hands, the foundation sponsored by the band Metallica. CCAC is one of 18 recipients nationwide this year. The Richard King Mellon Foundation also provided funding to support CCAC’s application and bring the national initiative to the Pittsburgh region.
With this funding, CCAC's Workforce Development Division is launching a Skilled Trades Academy, designed to introduce regional high school students, ages 14 to 18, to selected skilled trades:
- Welding—See more about CCAC’s Welding programs
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)—See more about CCAC’s HVAC programs
- Commercial Vehicle Operation—See more about CCAC’s Commercial Driver's License (CDL) programs
- Electrical Technology—See more about CCAC’s Electrical programs
- Automotive Technology—See more about CCAC’s Automotive Technology programs
Each course will consist of both classroom instruction and real, hands-on learning with CCAC’s skilled trades instructors and the appropriate tools and equipment. Students will learn about careers in each trade.
All courses (except CDL) will take place at CCAC West Hills Center in Oakdale (near Pittsburgh International Airport).
Who is Eligible?
Any high school student between the ages of 14 and 18 with a demonstrated interest in the skilled trades is eligible.
All classes (except CDL) are held at CCAC West Hills Center:
1000 McKee Road, Oakdale, PA 15071.
Fall 2026 program dates:
- Electrical – Oct. 17
- HVAC – Oct. 24
- Welding – Oct. 31
- Automotive – Nov. 7
- Job Skills & Automotive (continued) – Nov. 14
- CDL – Nov. 21
CCAC Boyce Campus
595 Beatty Road Monroeville, PA 15146
Class times are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A light breakfast and lunch are provided.
To register for this FREE program, contact Maria Brown at mbrown2@ccac.edu. Space is limited!
Contact Us
Maria Brown