Program Details

At 47, years of factory and warehouse work had taken its toll on Mortedus “Mo” DuBois. Ready for a new career with greater job security, he decided to pursue IT.
In August 2026, Mo joined the YWCA Northwestern Illinois Tech Lab program in Rockford to train in Google IT, CompTIA A+, and soft skills. The program prepared him for an entry-level IT Support Specialist position.
For the next five months, Mo balanced 30 hours of school each week with his property management job while caring for his five daughters, ages 5 to 16. He credits his case manager and IT instructor, along with program stipends that filled income gaps, with helping him stay on track.
After earning his IT credentials, Mo secured a paid internship with the IT department at Aqua-Aerobic Systems, a Rockford manufacturer of industrial water and wastewater treatment solutions. The internship gave him hands-on experience troubleshooting problems, exploring solutions, and supporting employees both on-site and remotely through the help desk.
Mo also strengthened his soft skills, particularly active listening and communication, which helped him connect with employees and deliver excellent service.
Today, Mo is interviewing for entry-level IT positions while continuing to explore his other passions. His long-term dream is to combine his property management and IT experience to build housing for young people aging out of foster care. To move toward that goal, he recently completed a class on bidding for and applying for a city program that could help him acquire property.
He is also pursuing CompTIA Network+ certification, recognizing that a career in IT requires lifelong learning.
Giving back is equally important to Mo. He describes it as becoming “a better human.” After recently overcoming legal obstacles from his past, he now teaches his daughters the importance of volunteering and giving back to their community.
YW Tech Lab gave Mo the push he needed to pursue a new career—and, as he put it, “an opportunity to learn for free.” Mo made his dream happen by beginning a path toward an IT career where he can work “from the shoulders up.”