Climb Hire: Free IT training for California residents ready for a career in tech
IT training for Californians
Our IT training program is fully online and focuses on core technical skills that employers look for when hiring entry-level candidates. The course is beginner-friendly, open to low-income California residents, and requires no prior tech experience.
100% free—no tuition, no exam fees
Training at Climb Hire is completely free for all students. Both tuition and industry certification exams are covered through funding from government programs and philanthropic partners. That means there’s no catch—if you’re accepted into the program, you won’t be asked to pay out of pocket.
Career prep included
IT skills are only part of getting hired. Throughout our program, you’ll also receive soft skills training focused on resume building, interviewing, workplace communication, and navigating the tech job market. More than 80% of Climbers secure a job within a year of completing the program.
IT Support
Climb Hire’s IT Support program prepares you for entry-level roles in IT—such as IT specialist or help desk technician—by teaching you not only theory but getting you job-ready with practical experience.
The program spans six months and includes preparation for the CompTIA A+ certification, a credential many employers expect for entry-level IT positions. We cover the exam fees for both CompTIA A+ tests. During the program, you’ll focus on:
- Learning how operating systems, networks, and basic programming concepts work together
- Diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and security-related issues
- Applying your skills through hands-on projects that reflect real-world scenarios
In addition, you'll have the opportunity to earn an extra credential, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
The program requires a weekly commitment of about 20 hours, split between instructor-led classes and independent coursework. Classes are held in real-time, giving you the chance to ask questions, receive feedback, and collaborate with classmates.
The program requires a weekly commitment of about 20 hours, split between instructor-led classes and independent coursework. Classes are held in real-time, giving you the chance to ask questions, receive feedback, and collaborate with classmates.
Career development
Technical training is paired with structured career preparation to help you transition into the workforce. You’ll receive ongoing job readiness support, including:
- Six months of one-on-one guidance from a Career Development Advisor
- Step-by-step support to build a strong resume, LinkedIn profile, and personal pitch
- A full year of LinkedIn Premium to connect you to job opportunities
- Access to the Alumni Network Portal, featuring job boards, application tools, and direct industry connections
Climb Hire alumni have gone on to work at many well-known companies, such as Google, IBM, and Salesforce.
Additional support
Balancing education with work, family responsibilities, and financial stress can make career training feel out of reach. Climb Hire offers support services to help remove some of the most common barriers students face while completing the program.
To address food insecurity, Climb Hire partners with SNAP so eligible learners can access food assistance while studying. This ensures your basic needs are met while you focus on training.
We’re also continuing to expand support offerings. Future services may include assistance with childcare, internet connectivity, and learning accommodations. We’ll share more details as they become available.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in our IT Support program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of California (or Colorado)
- Be between 24 and 40 years old
- Earn $30k per year or less
- Have legal authorization to work in the US
- Have access to a computer, webcam, and microphone
- Be able to commit 20 hours per week for the full six-month program
Our San Francisco address
2261 Market Street STE 10955
San Francisco, CA 94114
San Francisco, CA 94114
Additional IT training in Los Angeles
If Climb Hire isn’t the right fit for you, other options in the Los Angeles area might work better for your goals or schedule.
Per Scholas offers free IT support training for Los Angeles County residents. The full-time program runs 13–15 weeks. It blends online and in-person learning, teaches AI-powered troubleshooting, prepares participants for CompTIA A+ certification, and includes local job placement support. Admission is competitive.
Located in El Monte, Everest IT offers affordable hands-on IT training, practicing technologies like Microsoft Copilot and Azure. Classes run online or in person, focus on support, cloud, networking, and cybersecurity skills, and prepare students for technical interviews and entry-level IT roles.
Year Up offers a free, hybrid IT training program in Greater Los Angeles for young adults without a Bachelor's degree. Students learn IT fundamentals, gain hands-on experience through internships, and get ongoing guidance during their job search.
Tech Sherpas provides IT training in LA with short courses in areas like IT certification and software development. Instruction is led by industry-experienced instructors, with in-person and online training available. Group training for employee teams is also available.
General Assembly offers online tech bootcamps in areas like data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Python, and project management. Programs are available in both full-time and part-time formats with live instructors, emphasizing project-based learning. Career coaching is built into the courses.
Los Angeles colleges and universities with IT training options
Community colleges in the Los Angeles area offer tech training in fields like cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT support. Programs typically lead to career-focused certificates that can be completed in under a year and are aligned with entry-level jobs.
Los Angeles Valley College offers a self-paced CompTIA TECH+ certification training course for beginners. The six-month program includes exam voucher coverage, open enrollment, and foundational skills in hardware, software, networking, security, and core IT concepts.
Platt College offers a hybrid Associate’s degree in Information Technology that can be completed in as little as 15 months. The program combines hands-on computer training with online and on-campus courses, includes career services, and prepares you for entry-level IT roles.
SANS Technology Institute is an online college focused exclusively on cybersecurity, offering certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. Training is hands-on, includes official GIAC certifications, and is geared toward learners pursuing specialized, higher-paying cybersecurity roles.
ABCO Technology offers IT training courses in Microsoft systems, Cisco, Linux, networking, IT support, and more. Programs range from one month to one year and teach both technical and practical skills to get you career-ready.