Metallica is like a Peterbilt – legendary. A career that began in the early ‘80s and continues today, the heavy-metal rock band still deeply impacts people and society through its albums, tours, and philanthropy.
Recently, TLG Peterbilt – Louisville got to be a part of its philanthropic efforts when it helped Elizabethtown Technical & Community College (ECTC) and its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) department find the perfect Peterbilt.
Metallica Scholars
The Metallica Scholars Initiative provides support to community colleges across the country to enhance their career and technical education programs through student scholarships and other skill training efforts. The initiative is funded by the band’s All Within My Hands Foundation and is partners with the American Association of Community Colleges.
The selection process is highly competitive and aims to reinvest in communities that supported Metallica during its recent U.S. tours.
ECTC has been a part of the Metallica Scholars program since 2020, allowing several of its students to find life changing success.
Michael Franklin, CDL Coordinator/Instructor at the college, worked closely with TLG Peterbilt to acquire a 2024 Peterbilt 389 to support the Wherever I May Roam Truck Driving Academy which is a part of ECTC’s collaboration with Metallica Scholars Initiative. The title aptly references the popular Metallica song “Wherever I May Roam.”
“[Metallica Scholars] is a great organization with the thought of people’s future in mind,” Michael said. “The Metallica guys are role models people can look up to.”
Working with TLG
Having been in the industry for 30 years, TLG Peterbilt had been on Michael’s radar for a long time. Michael worked with Robert Rudd, one of our new truck sales representatives, to spec and order the truck which would then provide hands-on training for students.
An extra incentive in working with TLG as an educational institution is that we are an official vendor for Peterbilt trucks for Sourcewell which helps streamline the process of obtaining fleets for nonprofit, education and government agencies.
When making the decision to choose a Peterbilt, Michael said he chose the Model 389 primarily because it evoked a sense of nostalgia in him, but also because it’s a fan-favorite among the instructors in the department. Additionally, the school was looking for a quality truck that offers industry-best technology, safety and reliability features for maximum uptime for their students.
Luckily, we know Peterbilt trucks always live up to the hype as the premium truck for drivers looking for efficiency, durability and style. A truck that can be customized for the job and give drivers the best ride possible.
Students in the CDL program will now use the truck as a learning tool to develop backing, pre-trip and on the road skills.
We’re so honored to have worked with Elizabethtown Community & Technical College and its students as they train future truck drivers.
Contact our New Truck Sales Department to learn more about ordering your Peterbilt today.
Photo courtesy of Michael Franklin at ECTC