BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren announced it was awarded a $3.9 million Apprenticeship Building America, Round 2 Grant from the United States Department of Labor.

Michigan Works! officials say the goal of the grant is to establish pre-apprenticeship programs leading to Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAPS) enrollment.

The four-year grant has already started and will conclude in June 2028.

Michigan Works! is one of only 43 organizations across the country to be awarded this grant, according to officials.

Vice President of Workforce at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren Paul Kirk said, “Apprenticeships are more than a job. Apprenticeships center around education, hands-on experience, relationship building, and career planning. The grant is projected to serve 405 individuals in pre-apprenticeship programs and 270 individuals in Registered Apprenticeship Programs throughout the tri-county area, a win for both employers and career seekers.”

Michigan Works! will work alongside employers to create and expand the number of RAPs.

In addition, the grant's end goal is to place individuals into high-quality, in-demand careers.

“Our goal is to empower area residents to take advantage of these pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship opportunities that will help them advance to high-skill, high-wage careers without taking on educational debt,” added Kirk.

Individuals in Southwest Michigan who are interested in apprenticeship opportunities through Michigan Works! can fill out a form, here.

Employers who are interested in setting up a Registered Apprenticeship Program are encouraged to reach out to Mark O’Reilly at [email protected].

You can learn more about the grant, here.