BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A pair of nearby colleges have received funding to better prepare their students for post-grad employment.

The state Board for Community and Technical Colleges recently awarded over $1.5 million in grants for workforce development projects.

Bellingham Technical College and Skagit Valley College were among the 12 schools that were chosen.

BTC’s project will focus on transforming access to process technology education. Skagit’s will look to modernize its fire and EMT programs.

The grants are meant to support the changing needs and expectations of industry and prospective students.