A $500,000 grant has been awarded to The Berrien Talent Collaborative.

Tuesday, the collaborative announced a new program. The group consists of Lake Michigan College, Berrien RESA, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber, and the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce.

WSJM reports that the state funding will help support workforce and economic development in Southwest Michigan. In part, the money will help to develop and build registered apprenticeship programming that involves junior and senior high school students with work-based learning opportunities.