Climb Hire's Job Training Programs in San Diego: IT Support and Digital Marketing
San Diego job training
Climb Hire's job training programs in IT Support and Paid Search Marketing are free for low-income San Diego residents. Both run fully online with live instructors, and neither requires a degree or a tech background to apply.
Tuition-free, including certifications
Because Climb Hire is a nonprofit, our job training programs are fully supported by public funding and charitable organizations. As a result, there’s no cost to enroll. Plus, we cover the exam fees for the certifications associated with your program.
Career support included
Alongside technical training, you also receive one-on-one support from a Career Development Advisor, help with resumes and interviews, and access to Climb Hire's wide employer network. As a result, over 80% of Climbers secure a role within a year of graduating.
Climb Hire has been enriching in so many ways. I’ve gained a much stronger growth mindset, self-compassion, and self-esteem that I had lost long ago. I’ve gained a tremendous amount of skills and knowledge … I’ve also had the opportunity to build relationships with other professionals trying to achieve the same goals. I’ve found new friends, social capital, and mentorship.
IT Support
Our IT Support program is six months long and prepares you to earn CompTIA A+ certification—the credential most employers look for when hiring for entry-level IT roles. The two required certification exams typically cost over $500 out of pocket, but we cover both.
Classes are live and online, with about 20 hours of work per week split between instructor-led sessions and independent coursework.
You’ll learn:
- Operating systems, networking fundamentals, and how hardware and software work together
- Troubleshooting common hardware, software, and security issues
- Hands-on projects built around real IT support scenarios
You'll also have the option of earning a second credential: the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
Aside from technical knowledge, the curriculum incorporates the professional communication and workplace skills that help you stand out to employers and land a job faster.
Paid search marketing program
Our Paid Search Marketing program takes four months to complete and gets you certified in three platforms: Google Ads Search, Meta Digital Marketing Associate, and HubSpot Inbound Marketing. We pay all certification fees.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn:
- How to build and optimize paid ad campaigns across Google and social platforms
- Content strategy that drives measurable results
- Audience targeting and how to analyze campaign performance
- How to develop portfolio pieces from real campaign work
All classes are delivered online with live, expert instructors. You'll need to dedicate around 20 hours of work per week, split between class time and independent work. Soft skills training is woven into the classes as well, making you a stronger candidate as you start applying.
Job placement support
As a Climb Hire student, you get dedicated support to help you land a role in tech or marketing after finishing the program:
- Six months of personalized coaching with a Career Development Advisor
- Help building your professional documents: resume, cover letter, personal pitch, and LinkedIn profile
- Interview practice with real, actionable feedback
- Access to the Alumni Network Portal, with curated job listings and application tracking tools
- One year of LinkedIn Premium to connect with recruiters and hiring managers
Climbers have gone on to work at places like Google, Discord, and IBM, thanks to our extensive career support.
For many, it's the professional connections that make all the difference.
Additional resources
Many of our students are managing jobs, family responsibilities, and tight finances while they’re studying. Climb Hire partners with SNAP so that eligible students can access food assistance during the program.
We’re also working to expand access to childcare, internet, and learning accommodations. Check back for updates as those become available.
Who can apply
To be eligible for either program, you must:
- Live in California (or Colorado)
- Earn $30k per year or less
- Be between 24 and 40 years old
- Have US work authorization
- Be able to commit 20 hours a week for the length of the program
- Have 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
More job training options in San Diego
San Diego has a number of other job training programs worth looking into if Climb Hire isn't quite what you're looking for.
SDWP connects San Diego County residents to local workforce development programs, including vocational training, job readiness programs, and coaching. Services are available at no cost for low-income and unemployed residents.
Building Trades Unions offers apprenticeship programs across 23 trades, including electrical, plumbing, carpentry, ironwork, and HVAC. Apprentices earn wages while completing hands-on training and formal coursework, with many programs offering college credit.
CET offers hands-on, in-person trade training in San Diego in four in-demand areas: electrician, welding, green construction, and HVAC. Most programs take 8–9 months to complete. Tuition is around $15k to $16k, though financial aid is available.
California's HRTP program connects job seekers to state-funded training in industries like healthcare, green energy, and hospitality. Programs are run through regional partnerships, so San Diego residents have access to local options.
San Diego LEARN offers free online courses, live webinars, and certification prep for adults pursuing careers in HVAC, electrical trades, energy efficiency, and green building. No experience is required to enroll.
Job Corps is a free career training program for low-income young adults between 16 and 24. Its San Diego campus is in Imperial Beach. Training tracks include construction, IT, culinary arts, and more. Certification costs, housing, and job placement support is included.
San Diego colleges and universities with job training programs
SDSU Global Campus offers more than 500 online courses in fields like project management, cybersecurity, and marketing. Most programs are open to the public without an SDSU enrollment, and formats range from self-paced to live online. Course fees vary by program.
SDCCE offers free career training across a wide range of fields, including information technology, healthcare, digital media, hospitality, and skilled trades. Programs vary in length and format, often with no prior experience required to enroll.
SDGKU offers job training programs in software development and mobile development, available online or in a hybrid format at their downtown San Diego campus. Programs run 30 weeks and cost around $20k, with financial aid available.
SDMC offers training programs in over 30 fields, including web development, culinary arts, and healthcare. Classes are offered online and on campus, with two-year degrees and shorter certificate options available. Tuition is $46 per unit.