Lake Michigan College unveils program to help local grads explore career options

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- With a labor shortage and declining population in Southwest Michigan, multiple organizations came together Friday to find a solution, and Lake Michigan College unveiled the Berrien Talent Collaborative Program.

Organizers say this program is aimed at connecting high school students to available job openings through a paid apprenticeship program, rather than the traditional way of going to college.

According to MySchoolData.org, for the 2022 school year in Berrien County, only 40 percent of the graduating high school class went on to a college or trade school.

That leaves a lot of untapped talent, and now there's a push to get these students working while in the classroom and be paid for it. 

ABC57’s Ryan Jaghab was at that unveiling earlier today and will be live outside the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College with more details.