ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — As the demand for CDL drivers increases, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College hosted an information session so community members can learn about the program they offer.

Christopher Pollock is one of many ECTC CDL graduates who has a passion for truck driving but above all else, he's a father.

“They're my biggest reason why I would want to do something like this, to support them,” Pollock said.

That's why Pollock applied to the CDL program at ECTC and through the Metallica Scholarship, was able to get all costs covered for the 4 week CDL program.

What You Need To Know

  • A metal band's CDL scholarship at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is helping Kentuckians get their CDL license as the demand for drivers rises

  • ECTC's CDL Program is a 4-week course

  • More than 100 scholarships have been awarded through the Metallica Scholars Intiative

  • Chris Pollock is a Metallic Scholar

“It was great, I was just like wow, it's all paid for so it was a big relief because I wanted to get into trucking school because I didn't have the funds available,” Pollock said.

ECTC was awarded $150,000 in grants funded through the metal band Metallica's “All Within My Hands Foundation.”

The college announced their newest phase of the Metallica Scholars Initiative with the unveiling of a new truck wrap: The Wherever I May Roam Truck Driving Academy.

Chris Pollock poses with his sons Tristan and Canaan. (Spectrum News 1/Erin Wilson)

“In addition to this awesome truck you see here and plans in the works for another one, we have more than doubled our capacity for training CDL students,” said Mike Hazzard, dean of workforce solutions and technical programs at ECTC. “Plus with our 4 week CDL program and instructors who know what they're doing, your employees will be on the road quickly with skills to do their job safely and well.”

This year, the program expanded to provide scholarships to CDL students and Pollock could not be more thankful.

“So it's financially helped me out incredibly, I pretty much doubled my salary by going to trucking and it benefited them by helping pay for a home and a new car in the driveway. It helps support them with food or anything like Christmas, birthdays or anything. It's financially very stable,” Pollock said.

Another $65,000 will be awarded for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Through the partnership with Metallica, more than 100 scholarships have been provided to CDL and advanced manufacturing students at ECTC.