Michel Dumont breathes a lot easier these days. Thanks to BY Training, he now earns enough that he will always be able to pay his rent on time. In his previous job as an administrative assistant for a clinic, sometimes the rent money just wasn’t there, which created constant worry.

After learning about BY on Instagram, Michel completed his training at Southeast Community Services in May 2024. The very next month, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) hired him as a highway technician. He enjoys the road maintenance work. In addition to the higher pay, he also is thrilled with the benefits and his work schedule. He works four days a week, with Fridays off.

“The job is great,” Michel says. “I like the work-life balance. I have time to take care of things for myself and my family.”

Getting into construction had always been his goal, and BY made that happen. Through the training, he earned four credentials: Occupational Safety and Health Administration 30 Hour Construction Safety and Health (OSHA-30) card, OSHA Skid Steer Certification, NCCER Core Certification and Flagger Certification.

He loves working for the state. He hopes to grow into positions of more responsibility, and the state offers pathways to do that.

He has high praise for BY and its dedicated staff.

“It’s a great program for people who feel like they want to give up in life,” Michel says. “BY will make you feel like there’s always hope.”

The BY staff are helpful even after you complete the training, he says. They keep following up, letting you know about hiring events and job openings.

“I’m just so grateful,” Michel says. “Everyone at BY motivated me to be better. I want to give a huge shout-out to Macoy (Riley) and Macy (Barwick). I’m going to pray that they keep helping people like they helped me.”

Stories like Abdul’s wouldn’t be possible without support from Lilly Endowment – Thank you!