Free job training programs in Los Angeles: Climb Hire's courses
Job training for Los Angeles residents
Climb Hire offers free job training programs in IT Support and Paid Search Marketing to low-income adults in the Los Angeles area. Both programs are fully remote and require no prior experience in tech or marketing.
No cost—including certifications
Climb Hire students pay nothing to enroll. Training is funded through government grants and support from philanthropic partners, and we cover all certification exam costs.
Getting you hired
The goal isn't just to get you trained and certified—it's to land you a job. Every graduate works one-on-one with a Career Development Advisor, and more than 80% of Climb Hire alumni secure a role within a year of completing the program.
Before Climb Hire, I worked as a server at a restaurant and wine bar in San Francisco. I wanted to break into an industry where I could use my intelligence and intellect to build a new career and life for myself. I chose Climb Hire because I loved the emphasis on community.
The fellows have been helpful and encouraging on days when I feel unmotivated, reminding me that they were once in my shoes. When you do the hard work, anything is possible.
IT Support training program
Climb Hire’s six-month IT Support program prepares you for the CompTIA A+ certification—a credential hiring managers commonly look for when filling entry-level IT roles. We cover the cost of both required exams, which would normally cost you over $500.
Classes are held live online, so you’ll have real instructors to ask questions, get feedback, and work through material with. Expect to commit about 20 hours a week, split between instructor-led sessions and independent coursework.
You’ll:
- Learn how operating systems, networks, and hardware work together
- Practice diagnosing and resolving common software and security issues
- Work through real-world projects built around real IT support scenarios
- Earn an optional additional credential: the Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Paid search marketing program
The Paid Search Marketing program runs four months and gets you certified in three platforms: Google Ads Search, Meta Digital Marketing Associate, and HubSpot Inbound Marketing. We take care of all the certification costs.
Like the IT Support program, classes are live and remote, with about 20 hours of weekly work across instructor-led Zoom sessions and independent projects.
You’ll build skills in:
- Running and optimizing paid advertising campaigns across Google and social platforms
- Audience targeting and campaign performance analysis
- Content strategy that drives results
- Building portfolio pieces from real campaign work
You'll need to dedicate around 20 hours per week, split between live instruction and independent assignments. It also includes career-readiness training to help you build the soft skills needed for interviews and success in a new career.
Career support
Every Climb Hire graduate receives comprehensive career support to help them land and excel in a new role:
- Six months of one-on-one coaching with a Career Development Advisor, including a personalized job search strategy, interview practice, and ongoing guidance
- A polished resume, LinkedIn profile, and personal elevator pitch tailored to your target roles
- Membership in the Climb Hire Alumni Community, with access to networking events, job referrals, and connections to industry professionals
- One year of LinkedIn Premium to help you get noticed by recruiters and reach out to hiring managers directly
- Access to the Alumni Network Portal, with a curated job board, application tracking, and AI-powered job search tools
In total, graduates get access to over $2k worth of workforce development resources, all free. Climb Hire alumni have gone on to work at well-known tech companies like Google, IBM, Discord, and BetterUp.
Additional student support
Training for a new career while working, managing family responsibilities, or navigating tight finances is hard. Climb Hire understands that and offers extra support to our students.
Through a partnership with SNAP, eligible students can access food assistance while enrolled. We’re also working to expand support services, which may eventually include help with childcare, internet access, and learning accommodations.
Eligibility
To apply for either program, you need to meet these requirements:
- Live in California (or Colorado)
- Be between 24 and 40 years old
- Earn $30k per year or less
- Have authorization to work in the US
- Be able to commit 20 hours a week for the duration of the program
- Have access to a computer with a webcam and microphone
Meet our climbers
Elysia Brewster
Former: Substitute Teacher
Current: Loan Consultant Associate
“I always felt that my lack of higher education would prohibit me from getting a good job. At times I was even uncomfortable engaging with educated white people. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old, barely making ends meet. Through Climb Hire I was able to learn skills that would help me secure and land a great job. Thankfully, I am able to provide for my children and pave the way.”
Chris Randolph
Former: Customer Service
Current: Loan Processing Expert
"I️ started in the workforce at 18 years old but always doubted that I would be able to obtain a career I loved without a college education. Climb Hire has given me the confidence l needed to get my foot in the door at organizations that would have otherwise been out of reach. I'm excited to be starting a new journey with Better and look forward to staying connected with the Climb Hire community.”
Fiona Wen
Former: Stay-at-home Parent
Current: Loan Consultant Associate
“The reason I joined Climb Hire is because I wanted to be a financially independent woman. I wanted to prove to my family that I am worth more than being a stay home mom. It was a long journey of job hunting. I'm beyond grateful for my new role at Better.”
Karine Durand
Former: Family Assistant
Current: Marketing Associate
“Climb Hire really helped me discover the tools and habits to make my life more organized and efficient which translated really well to a corporate environment. In my new role as a Marketing Associate at BetterUp, I’ve been using a lot of the soft-skills concepts we learned, such as effectively communicating during group projects by establishing clear expectations and checking in with my project mates.”
Austin Sanchez
Former: Retail Sales
Current: Software Engineering Apprentice
"I lost my vision after eleven years of being able to see and it changed the way I make decisions. It wasn’t until I took the risk of joining the Climb Hire that I discovered the strength I gained from living with a disability. With all of these new skills I gained at Climb Hire, I was able to land a position with IBM as a Software Engineering Apprentice.”
Miguel Ruiz
Former: Food Worker
Current: Software Engineering Apprentice
"I️ worked as a cook in a Silicon Valley company's cafeteria for nearly six years. I felt stuck. Despite the adversities of having no formal education and English being my second language, I knew there was more in me. My Climb Hire community kept me strong and focused on my goal. I landed my first job in tech and am a Software Engineering Apprentice at Bluewolf, an IBM Company. I am so proud to be a Climber and an IBMer!”
Our San Francisco address
2261 Market Street STE 10955
San Francisco, CA 94114
San Francisco, CA 94114
Other free job training programs in Los Angeles
If Climb Hire doesn't offer the training you're looking for, there are several other options in the Los Angeles area worth knowing about.
Per Scholas offers free, full-time IT training for residents of LA County across two tracks: AI-Enabled IT Support and Data Center Technician with AI Tools. Both include career coaching, job placement support, and direct certification prep. Admission is competitive.
Goodwill offers free Certified Nurse Assistant and Security Officer job training for LA County residents. Both programs are paired with a soft skills curriculum covering job search, money management, workplace relationships, and career development.
LA County's START program provides free job training services to LA County residents already receiving public assistance. Services include vocational assessment, job readiness training, short-term skills training, and job search support, with help covering transportation and work-related expenses.
California's EDD connects LA job seekers to free training through the Eligible Training Provider List. Programs cover vocational training and apprenticeships in in-demand fields like healthcare and construction. Register through CalJOBS to access workforce services in your area.
Based in North Hollywood, SOCHI offers free career training for unemployed LA residents in several healthcare fields. Programs incorporate hands-on experience, finish in under nine months, and include job placement assistance.
Year Up offers free, full-time job training for eligible LA residents aged 18 to 29. Career advancement paths include IT Support, Project Management, and more. The year-long program combines classes with a paid internship and includes support for housing, food, and transportation.
Los Angeles colleges and universities with job training options
While not all of these options are free, many California colleges are low-cost. Plus, eligible students may qualify for fee waivers through the California College Promise Grant.
Cal State LA partners with the local Workforce Investment Board to offer free career training for residents who have been laid off. Eligible students can access programs in medical billing and coding, paralegal studies, project management, and pharmacy technician training.
LAVC offers free, noncredit job training in healthcare, IT, cybersecurity, and media arts—with no prior experience or degree required. Programs are flexible, available online or in person, and many can be completed in eight weeks or less.
LAMC offers certificate programs in over 50 fields, including cybersecurity, healthcare, culinary arts, and more. Most programs finish in a year or less. Tuition is only $46 per unit for California residents—with fee waivers available for those who qualify.
LACC offers a wide range of competitively priced online career pathway training across healthcare, IT, trades, and more through a partnership with ed2go. Most programs include certification exam vouchers, and government funding through WIOA may be available to eligible students.