Climb Hire: CompTIA A+ training to launch your cybersecurity career
Professional IT training
Climb Hire offers a remote IT Support program for low-income California residents who want to begin careers in tech. You’ll build the core technical skills that serve as the standard first step toward a cybersecurity career. Our program is open to residents of San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Marin, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties.
Free training for all participants
Through government funding and nonprofit partnerships, California residents can access the program at no cost. We also cover the CompTIA A+ exam fees. A+ is the standard starting point for most technical support roles and the recommended first step before pursuing Security+, the widely recognized cybersecurity credential.
Job-search support
Alongside technical training, you’ll also receive one-on-one career support, including resume help, interview preparation, and personalized coaching. More than 80% of Climbers secure full-time roles within a year of finishing the program.
Climb Hire’s IT Support program
Over six months, you’ll build the knowledge required for CompTIA A+ certification and gain the skills that open the door to entry-level IT jobs. As A+ and real IT experience are often prerequisites for cybersecurity jobs, this training gives you the foundation you need to specialize in the field of cybersecurity later on.
The curriculum includes:
- Troubleshooting hardware, software, devices, and security issues
- Fundamental concepts in operating systems, networking, cloud computing, and virtualization
- Hands-on projects that mirror real-world IT environments.
- The Google IT Support Professional Certificate (optional) to strengthen your resume
Training takes place live over Zoom with instructors who walk you through the material and answer questions in real time. Plan for roughly 20 hours each week between class time and independent practice.
Job placement support
Breaking into cybersecurity typically starts with real IT experience. Our program provides comprehensive job-search support so you can secure your first role.
- Six months of one-on-one guidance from a Career Development Advisor
- Support building a strong resume, refining online profiles, and developing your elevator pitch
- Access to exclusive job listings, application tools, and alumni networking opportunities
- A 12-month LinkedIn Premium membership to help you connect directly with recruiters
Additional resources to help you succeed
We recognize that personal and financial responsibilities can make training difficult to manage. To support your progress, Climb Hire offers resources that go beyond academic instruction.
We’ve partnered with SNAP to help address food insecurity—one of the biggest barriers Climbers have identified when trying to complete training. We’re also exploring expanded support, such as childcare resources, internet assistance, and accommodations for learners who need alternative learning or testing environments.
Program prerequisites
To join Climb Hire’s IT Support program, applicants must:
- Live in Colorado (or California)
- Earn $30k or less per year
- Be between 24 and 40 years old
- Have authorization to work in the US work
- Have a laptop with a working webcam and microphone
- Be able to commit ~20 hours per week for six months
Our San Francisco address
2261 Market Street STE 10955
San Francisco, CA 94114
San Francisco, CA 94114
Other pathways for online cybersecurity training in California
If you’re building on existing information technology experience and seeking more advanced cybersecurity training, these programs offer options for California residents.
SANS provides cybersecurity training for learners with existing IT skills. Courses are offered online or in person in areas like cyber defense, artificial intelligence, and cloud security. Training includes hands-on labs and simulations. Individual courses typically range from about $1k to several thousand dollars.
Flatiron offers an online cybersecurity program that prepares you for roles like cybersecurity analyst and cybersecurity specialist. Training is project-based and runs 15 weeks full-time or 45 weeks part-time. Career support is included. With different payment options, tuition ranges from $10k to $15k.
Fullstack offers a live online cybersecurity bootcamp covering cloud security, threat intelligence, and risk management. You don’t need prior tech experience to enroll. Full-time takes 13 weeks and costs $11k, while part-time takes 21 weeks and costs $10k.
CDT offers a four-week remote cybersecurity bootcamp for California IT professionals. Held via Zoom four days per week, it’s best for senior cybersecurity staff. The training program costs $3.3k.
Cybersecurity training at California colleges and universities
Calbright offers a free defensive cybersecurity program for California residents. It requires prior network security knowledge (Network+, Calbright’s Network Technology program, or related experience), so it's not for beginners. Training is online and self-paced, taking from six to nine months to complete.
Stanford Online offers an on-demand Advanced Cybersecurity certificate program taught by engineering faculty and experts. You must complete five courses to earn a Certificate of Achievement, representing 60 hours of coursework. Tuition is $545 per course or $2,725 for access to all courses.
CalPoly offers a cybersecurity program with full-time (13 weeks) and part-time (22 weeks) schedules. Students learn through live virtual classes, group projects, and weekly independent study. Tuition is $10k part-time or $11k full-time, and the program includes career coaching and support.
UCSD runs an online Cybersecurity Specialized Certificate program. Students complete five courses total—three core classes plus both courses in one specialization track— Ethical Hacking or Management & Compliance. The program takes about 15 months to finish and costs roughly $3.8k.
UCLA Extension offers a fully online, four-course Cybersecurity Certificate covering secure applications, cryptography, penetration testing, and cyberattack strategies. Training aligns with CompTIA Security+ concepts. Tuition is about $4.4k, plus around $700 for fees and course materials.