<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://flask.nextdoor.com/pixel?pid=4836f7e7-6272-41f6-99bd-df231aa899ad&amp;ev=PAGE_VIEW&amp;noscript=1">
menu
close_24px
IT Apprenticeship Program

Your First JOB IN TECH Starts Here.

For youth ages 18–24 in Los Angeles and San Diego County.

Free training. Real wages. A career in IT — no experience required.

Apply Now

CLIMB HIRE IT APPRENTICESHIP.

Learn It. Do It. Get Paid for It. 

This isn't just a class — it's a paid pathway into a real IT career. You'll start with hands-on technical training, then move into a paid apprenticeship with an employer, earning a wage while you build the skills, certifications, and experience that open doors in tech.

No college degree. No experience. No cost. Just a willingness to show up and learn.

 

100% FREE FOR QUALIFYING PARTICIPANTS.

To qualify you must be: 

  • 18–24 years old
  • A resident of Los Angeles or San Diego County
  • A high school graduate or GED holder
  • Earning under $40,000/year
  • Authorized to work in the U.S.

And meet at least ONE of the following:

  • Currently or formerly in foster care
  • Currently or formerly involved in the justice system
  • A parent
  • Living with a disability
Register Now Request Info
Overview
Start Date: September 21, 2026
Program Length: 16 months (training + paid apprenticeship)
Minimum Apprenticeship Wage: $20/hour
Eligible Ages: 18 - 24 years old
Eligible Locations: California residents who live in Los Angeles or San Diego County
Weekly Cohort Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
Cohort Time: 5pm - 8pm Pacific Time

HOW IT WORKS.

1-3
Build the Foundation
A 12-week IT training gets you grounded in the basics — how computers, networks, and systems actually work.
2-3
Go Deeper
Move into technical instruction aligned to the CompTIA A+ certification, building the specific skills employers are hiring for.
3-2
Get to Work - and Get Paid
Start your paid apprenticeship with an employer partner. You'll earn an hourly wage and continue Climb Hire check-ins to keep you supported and on track.

CURRICULUM: WHAT YOU'LL LEARN.

Foundations
IT Foundations

How computers and networks actually work. 

OS
Operating Systems

Windows, Linux, and the basics of OS management.

Admin
System Administration

How organizations manage their tech systems.

Networking
Networking

Internet, IP, and how devices talk to each other.

Security
IT Security

Core principles every IT professional needs to know.

Career
Career & Professional Skills

Resume writing, workplace communication, and how to show up on Day 1. 

GET THE CERTS EMPLOYERS CARE ABOUT.

You'll earn the Google IT Support Certificate, plus get the training and support the take and pass the CompTIA A+ exams. 

APPLY

A YEAR+ OF LEARNING & ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

21 September
Part 1

Technical Instruction

The program starts with foundational training so you're prepared to hit the ground running when you start your apprenticeship. 

You'll get immersed via 12 weeks of live, online classes, which meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 5pm - 8pm Pacific Time. 

You'll start with the fundamentals — how computers, networks, and operating systems actually work — before moving into system administration, cybersecurity basics, and hands-on CompTIA A+ training covering hardware, networking, and cloud concepts.

The final week shifts gears entirely to workplace readiness: professional email, meeting etiquette, introducing yourself at work, and resolving conflict — so you walk into your apprenticeship site ready to contribute from Day 1. 

4 January
Part 2

Apprenticeship + Continued Training

You'll shift into full-time on-the-job training for the next 12-13 months.

You'll spend your first two weeks acclimating to your employer partner site, getting oriented to your new team, manager, and schedule. From there, we'll meet twice a month for 13 months, with each session pairing a technical deep-dive — covering everything from Windows and macOS administration to network security and scripting — with a career development or social capital workshop, like building your narrative, growing your professional network, and preparing your resume and references.

By the final month, you'll wrap with a completed job search portfolio, experience and relationships from your apprenticeship site, and transition into the Climb Hire alumni community, where we'll support you for what's next.

FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions: 

Is this program really free?

Yes. If you meet our eligibility criteria, there is no cost to you. And once your apprenticeship starts, you're earning a paycheck 

What do you require for eligibility?

This program is funded through a partnership and grant with with State of California. To be eligible, you must be:

A California resident living in San Diego or LA county

  • Between the ages of 18 - 24

  • Earning under $40,000/year

  • A high school graduate or GED holder

  • Authorized to work in the US

AND, you must meet at least ONE of the following criteria:

  • Currently or formerly in foster care

  • Currently or formerly involved in the justice system

  • A parent or legal guardian 

  • Living with a disability 

 

We will require that you show proof of eligibility. Below is what we require, along with options for the documentation:

  • Proof of Identity
    • State ID or driver’s license
    • Birth certificate
  • Proof of Residency
    • Government mail
    • Utility bills
    • Employer letter
  • Proof of U.S. Work Authorization
    • U.S. passport/passport card
    • Social Security card
    • Permanent resident card
    • Alien Registration Receipt Card
    • Employment authorization document
    • Last year’s signed tax return,
    • All pay stubs from last month
    • Unemployment/public benefits documentation
      Proof of Income
Plus, proof of Grant Eligibility (ONE of the following):
  • Current or Former Foster Youth
    • Foster care placement letter; court order; child welfare documentation; letter from county child welfare agency or Independent Living Program (ILP); documentation from a foster youth support program.
  • Justice Impacted
    • Release paperwork; probation/parole documentation; court records; letter from a reentry organization; self-disclosure should ideally be supplemented by third-party documentation.
  • Parent or legal guardian
    • Child's birth certificate; hospital birth record; tax return listing dependent; benefits documentation (CalWORKs, WIC, etc.); custody or guardianship documentation.
  • Person with disability
    • Documentation of disability from a physician, psychologist, or licensed provider; IEP/504 Plan; vocational rehabilitation eligibility; SSI/SSDI award letter; documentation from a disability services office.
  • Residing in a high-poverty census tract
    • We will check your zipcode and will confirm eligibility  from your proof of residency documentation.
How is the program different from your IT Support Track?

This IT Apprenitcehip program is designed specifically for youth and young adults ages 18 to 24. Our technical programming covers the same material as out IT Support Learning Track, but over a different duration of time, and this program includes on-the-job training, which our general learning track does not. 

We are able to offer this program for free through a partnership and grant with the State of California's Opportunity Youth initiatives. 

How does the paid apprenticeship work?
Once you complete your upfront training, you'll be placed with an employer partner for on-the-job training for 12 months. You're a paid employee during this time, and you'll earn a minimum of $20/hour and will need to work 2,000 hours within the 12-month period. Most employers require 40 hours/week. 
Do I need any tech experience to apply?

No. This program is built for people who are new to IT. If you're curious about technology and ready to commit to the training, you're ready to apply.

What will I actually walk away with?

A Google IT Support Certificate, hands-on preparation for the CompTIA A+ certification, and a completed apprenticeship — plus real work experience and a foot in the door with an employer.

 

How long is the program?

About 16-18 months total: 12 weeks of upfront training, followed by a paid apprenticeship that includes ongoing technical instruction.

Is this program fully online?

Your technical training is online and part-time. Your apprenticeship hours will be with your employer partner — remote, hybrid, or in-person depending on the role.

What happens after I apply?

You'll apply online, attend an interview, and then we'll confirm your eligibility. You'll attend an Open House and Tech Orientations to set you up with all the tech you need for cohort.

From there, we'll walk you through every step — training, employer placement, and beyond.

What is the eligibility criteria?

To qualify, you must be:

  • 18–24 years old
  • A resident of California living in Los Angeles or San Diego County
  • A high school graduate or GED holder
  • Earning under $40,000/year
  • Authorized to work in the United States

AND meet at least one of the following:

  • Currently or formerly in foster care
  • Currently or formerly involved in the justice system
  • A parent
  • Living with a disability

During the application process, we will require documentation to verify your eligibility. 

READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP?

Spots are limited. Apply today!

APPLY
Funding for this project was provided in part by the United States Department of Agriculture. USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and Lender.