The company builds the concrete pieces in its Indianapolis location, using tools Hysone trained on at BY. “I basically got into BY to learn about carpentry and tools,” he said. “Now I use those skills every day.”

While Hysone had previous experience operating heavy equipment, the knowledge and certifications he picked up through BY added to his skillset. It also supported a long-term goal: He hopes someday to buy, rehab and manage apartments. He had some experience rehabbing properties in the past, but knew he needed more expertise before he could really dive in. BY gave him that.

“It’s an opportunity to learn something you could use in the future or in your daily life that no one can take away from you,” he said.

As much as he values the hands-on training he got through BY, Hysone said the real skills he gained were people-oriented. “What it really taught me was how to network,” he said, “and how to keep my networks open.”

That skill also has paid off. Hysone says he and others in his class remain in contact. Some of them communicate daily. “I met a lot of people who were eager to learn like I was,” he said. “If I had the chance to do it again, I would.”