Not even a three-hour round-trip commute could stop Valencia College Heavy Equipment Operations student Omar Hill from tackling a childhood dream. When Hill, who currently resides in Ocala, FL., was laid off in the midst of the pandemic, he knew he needed to find a stable and secure job to help support his family and children.
“I wanted to change my future and chase a childhood dream,” Hill said. “Education is important and my children love that I’m in this program. They are an inspiration for me.”
As he toured a construction site, early memories of playing with Tonka Trucks roared to life once again, and Hill knew this was his chance to chase his dream. Now a Metallica Scholar at Valencia, and partially funded through the band’s All Within My Hands foundation grant, Hill will complete his program and be certified to be out on the construction site in a matter of weeks.
“I always wanted to go to Valencia, and now … it feels like I’m living my dream, like I’m not even working,” Hill said. “I get to play with my childhood toys.”
To learn more about Valencia College’s Accelerated Skills Training programs and our Metallica Scholars grant, please visit: https://valenciacollege.edu/campaign/metallica-scholars.php