Career Training in Riverside: IT support and digital marketing tracks from Climb Hire
Career training for Riverside residents
Climb Hire runs two career training programs, IT Support and Paid Search Marketing, that help Riverside residents move into tech and marketing roles. Both programs are remote, live-instructor-based, and don't require a degree or prior tech background.
Free job training and certification
Climb Hire is a nonprofit funded by government grants and private donors, so you pay nothing to attend. We also cover every certification exam fee tied to your program, such as CompTIA A+, Google Ads Search, and Meta Digital Marketing Associate.
Job placement support
You'll work one-on-one with a Career Development Advisor, get help rebuilding your resume and LinkedIn, practice for interviews, and tap into Climb Hire's employer network. Thanks to this support, over 80% of Climbers land a role in their field within a year of graduating.
Before Climb Hire I was going from contract to contract, and I wasn’t sure what my next move was going to be. I found Climb Hire through a family friend that worked as a program manager for nonprofits, focused on youth development, so I knew it was [a] good program. My experience as a Climber has been nothing but positive and engaging. From mock interviews to the capstone project, I’ve been involved in a community of like-minded peers that are supportive of each other’s growth and success.
IT Support program
Our IT Support program takes six months to complete and gets you ready for CompTIA A+ certification. This is the credential most hiring managers want to see for entry-level help desk and IT support roles. Both required exams (Core 1 and Core 2) cost around $500 combined, but Climb Hire covers that for you.
You’ll spend about 20 hours a week on coursework between live online classes and independent work.
The curriculum covers:
- Operating systems, hardware, and how software and devices interact
- Networking basics, including IP addressing and connectivity
- Cybersecurity fundamentals for protecting users and systems
- Real-world troubleshooting methods used on help desks every day
We also offer the option to take a second credential, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
Communication and workplace skills are woven into the curriculum so you're ready for interviews and your first weeks on the job.
Paid Search Marketing program
Our four-month Paid Search Marketing track prepares you for three industry certifications: Google Ads Search, Meta Digital Marketing Associate, and HubSpot Inbound Marketing. We pay every exam fee.
Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to:
- Plan, launch, and manage paid campaigns on Google and major social platforms
- Build content strategies tied to specific business goals
- Use performance data to refine targeting and improve return on ad spend
- Produce portfolio pieces from real campaigns you’ve run
We also teach professional skills alongside the technical material, covering interview prep, client communication, and how to pitch yourself for a role.
You'll need to dedicate around 20 hours per week, split between live instruction and project-based assignments you complete on your own time.
Job search support after graduation
Every Climber gets a full set of job readiness services after finishing the program, including:
- Six months of one-on-one coaching with a Career Development Advisor
- Resume, cover letter, and elevator pitch development
- Mock interviews with specific, actionable feedback
- A members-only job board with curated openings and an application tracker
- One year of LinkedIn Premium, so you can connect directly with recruiters
Climbers have gone on to roles at Google, IBM, Discord, and other major employers across California, often through the professional connections they build during the program.
Additional support services
Many of our students are balancing the program with jobs, kids, and tight budgets. Our partnership with SNAP helps eligible students cover food costs so they can stay focused on classes instead of worrying about the grocery bill.
We’re also expanding into a few other support areas, including:
- Connections to local childcare options
- Help securing reliable home internet for live classes
- Testing accommodations for students who need them
Application prerequisites
To apply for our career training programs, you’ll need to:
- Live in California (or Colorado)
- Be 24 to 40 years old
- Make $30k or less per year
- Have US work authorization
- Have a computer with a working webcam and microphone
- Be able to commit to 4 to 6 months of part-time study (about 20 hours per week)
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 career training options in Riverside
If Climb Hire isn't the right fit for what you want to do, the county of Riverside and the greater Inland Empire have a range of other career training programs to consider.
This federally funded WIOA program serves low-income, unemployed, and laid-off Riverside County residents. Services include resume help, career coaching, and up to $8k to put toward an approved training program of your choice.
Job Corps offers free, in-person career training for young adults from ages 16 to 24. Its Inland Empire campus serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Training tracks include carpentry, healthcare, IT, security, and more. Housing and meals are included.
RAS runs short-term job training programs at low or no cost, including ASE-certified automotive technician training, pharmacy technician prep, medical assisting, phlebotomy, and computer skills classes. Most programs finish in six weeks to nine months.
IEETC runs two registered electrical apprenticeships in the Inland Empire. The Inside Wireman track is a five-year program that leads to a journeyman electrician license. The Sound & Telecommunications track is a three-year program focused on low-voltage and data wiring. Both are tuition-free and pay wages throughout.
United runs CDL truck driver training out of its Riverside campus, preparing students for entry-level jobs in trucking, logistics, and delivery. These are fields with steady demand in the Inland Empire labor market. Tuition varies by track from roughly $4k to $7k, with financial aid available.
Career training at Riverside-area colleges
RCC offers more than 100 career and technical certificate and degree options through the Riverside Community College District (RCCD). Popular career paths include welding, HVAC, culinary arts, nursing, and automotive technology, with most certificates leading directly into entry-level work.
MVC, also part of RCCD, runs career and vocational training in dental hygiene, EMS, fire technology, and dental assisting. Programs lead to industry-recognized credentials and can be applied toward associate degrees if you decide to continue.
Norco College offers over 40 career-technical programs, including tracks in logistics management, game development, and engineering technology. Certificate programs range from four to 30 units. Norco is also a top-ranked school for veterans, with a dedicated Veterans Resource Center on campus.
UCR Extension, located in the city of Riverside, offers professional certificates in fields like accounting, business administration, project management, education, and tech. Most certificates are open to working adults without UCR enrollment, with online and evening options available.
UEI College is a private, accredited trade school with campuses across the US. Its Riverside campus offers diploma programs in HVAC, medical assisting, dental assisting, medical billing and coding, and business office administration. Most programs can be completed in about 10 months.