Learn the Skill. Earn the Credential. Get the Job.
Day, evening and Saturday classes, in person in San Bernardino or live online from anywhere in the U.S.
Conversational Mandarin Chinese for Beginners
Live online from anywhere in the U.S. or in person in Downtown San Bernardino. 8 weeks · 16 hours · Saturdays. Tuition: $297.
Government Contracting Academy & Career Readiness
Day cohorts, in person or online. Contracting Academy $1,497 or 3 payments of $499. Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship $1,200.
QuickBooks & Excel Essentials
Bookkeeping Mon & Wed, Excel & Office Tue & Thu, 6–9 PM. In person or online. $297 each.
Learn the Skill.
Earn the Credential.
Get the Job.
FOR STUDENTS
We train and connect job-ready talent from San Bernardino County. Hire our graduates, upskill your current team, or host work-experience interns through our county-approved worksite. Training costs may be covered through WIOA and the Employment Training Panel (ETP).
We work with the public workforce system, schools, health providers, employers and faith communities to wrap services around every participant. Sponsor a training cohort, fund free youth prevention and mentorship, or join our coalition.
Career training in person or online: day, evening and Saturday classes. Join from San Bernardino or anywhere in the U.S.
Government contracting, career readiness, Excel, QuickBooks, Mandarin Chinese and more, plus free youth prevention and mentorship programs. Every class is offered in person and live online.
How to enroll in four steps
No prior experience or diploma is required. Our staff walks you through every step.
Apply online
Fill out the short interest form. It takes about five minutes.
Intake & eligibility
We check whether you may qualify for county WIOA funding and help you register in CalJOBS.
Career assessment
Meet one-on-one with a counselor to set goals and build your career plan.
Start class
Join your cohort in person in downtown San Bernardino or live online. Course materials are provided.
From classroom to career, one deliberate step at a time
Every student follows the same five-stage pathway, with a counselor and a mentor alongside them.
- I
Assess
Career assessment and a personal 30/60/90-day plan
- II
Learn
40 hours of instruction, in person or live online, across four courses
- III
Practice
Speaking labs, mock interviews and a recorded pitch
- IV
Connect
A trained mentor, employer panels and work experience
- V
Launch
A job, further education, or a business of your own
Programs & classes
Hands-on classes that lead to a certificate, a job, or a business of your own.
Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Employment Training
Four courses on leadership, digital marketing, grants and financial literacy, and business development.
Now enrolling →Public Speaking & Communication Lab
Practice interviews, elevator pitches and presentations with recorded feedback.
Details →Entrepreneurship & Small Business
Build a business plan, learn licensing and bookkeeping, and pitch to local judges.
Details →Government Contracting Academy
Register, get certified, find bids and write proposals that win public contracts.
Details →Youth Substance Use Prevention & Leadership
Fentanyl awareness, naloxone training and a youth leadership council.
Details →Future Leaders Academy
Mentorship, college planning, financial literacy and entrepreneurship in one afternoon. Lunch provided.
Reserve a spot →Internships & Work Experience
Work-experience placements through San Bernardino County Workforce Development. 10 interns hosted so far.
Details →Conversational Mandarin Chinese
Speaking-first Mandarin for beginners. Starting Nov 30. 8 weeks, 16 hours.
Details →Microsoft Excel & Office Essentials
Formulas, charts, Word and Outlook in 12 hands-on hours. Evenings or Saturdays.
Details →QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials
Invoices, bills, bank reconciliation and reports in 12 hours. Evenings or Saturdays.
Details →Friday Contracting Workshops
2-hour hands-on sessions: finding bids, reading RFPs, compliance and proposals.
Details →Industry Certifications
Forklift, OSHA 10, CPR/First Aid, ServSafe, MOS, QuickBooks Certified User, CompTIA A+ and Google IT.
Details →Your future starts here!
Future Leaders AcademyA free, hands-on workshop for middle school, high school and college students, foster youth and young adults exploring careers. Lunch and refreshments are provided.
Bring your questions. Leave with a plan.
1-on-1 mentorship
Connect with mentors who help you reach your goals.
College planning
Explore options and plan for your future.
Financial literacy
Build money skills and a stronger financial future.
Entrepreneurship & innovation
Turn your ideas into impact and opportunity.
- Middle & high school students
- College students
- Foster youth
- Future entrepreneurs
- Young adults exploring careers
- Youth seeking mentorship
- Parents & guardians welcome
- Community mentors welcome
Every resident of San Bernardino deserves a skill, a mentor, a voice, and a future worth building.The Ayangbah Promise
Dr. Shirley Ayangbah
Founder & Executive Director, The Ayangbah Foundation
PhD, International Law · M.A. Economics · M.A. International Relations · BBA, Accounting · Professor · Economist
Bridging law, economics, education, and community impact.Meet our team
Talent is everywhere here. Access to opportunity is not.
In the City of San Bernardino, 18.6% of residents live in poverty and 13.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree. Fentanyl drives most of the county's overdose deaths, and 14 local teenagers have died of fentanyl overdoses since 2021. We built our programs to close both gaps together.
Sources: U.S. Census QuickFacts; CA Overdose Surveillance Dashboard via Community Forward Redlands.
See who we serve“I learned a lot.”Lily Brown, program participant
- Built for the WIOA Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)
- Approved work-experience worksite, San Bernardino County Workforce Development
- Registered on SAM.gov · CalJOBS Site ID 1040075
- ADA-accessible classroom in downtown San Bernardino, plus live online classes
- Questions? Call or text (909) 454-7076
Become a founding partner
Invest in the Inland Empire's workforce
Sponsor a training cohort, join our prevention coalition, or host participants for work experience.
Guides for job seekers, employers & families
Free Job Training Programs for Adults in San Bernardino
Where free training comes from, what to look for in a program and how to take your first step in the Inland Empire.
Laid Off From Tech? How to Get Back on Track
Dislocated tech worker? Here's how to get back on track. The Ayangbah Foundation can help you.
Workforce Training for Employees in the Inland Empire
A practical guide for employers who want to build skills, confidence and retention on their teams.
Six reasons students choose us
Online or in person
Every class is offered in San Bernardino or live online, so you can join from anywhere in the U.S.
Day, evening and Saturday
Schedules built for working adults, parents and career changers.
Led by a PhD economist
Programs designed by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, a professor, economist and international law scholar.
Real skills, real portfolio
Hands-on projects you can show employers and clients, not just lectures.
Simple, secure payment
Pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Payment plans available for the Contracting Academy.
Connected to employers
An approved San Bernardino County work-experience worksite and an employer partner program.
Frequently asked questions
Are your classes online or in person?
Both. Every class is offered in person at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, San Bernardino, and live online, so you can join from anywhere in the United States.
Who can enroll?
Anyone can enroll. Adult classes are open to learners anywhere in the U.S. Our free youth programs serve young people ages 14 to 24.
How much do classes cost?
Government Contracting Academy $1,497 (or 3 payments of $499). Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship $1,200. Microsoft Excel & Office, QuickBooks Bookkeeping and Conversational Mandarin Chinese $297 each. Friday Contracting Workshops $97, or $297 for four. The Monday info session is free.
How do I pay?
Apply first, then pay securely online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay on our tuition page. Employers can request an invoice.
Is county WIOA funding available?
Our application to California's Eligible Training Provider List is in progress. Once approved, eligible residents may have tuition paid by the county.
When do classes start?
Mandarin Chinese starts Saturday, October 17. The Government Contracting Academy and Career Readiness start Monday, November 23. Evening QuickBooks and Excel start November 30 and December 1. See the class schedule.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. Our certificate programs include a certificate of completion, and the Government Contracting Academy includes a professional portfolio.
How can my company partner with you?
We train entry-level and current staff, prepare job-ready candidates and offer custom team training online or on site. Visit our employer page or call (909) 454-7076.
Ready to start?
Classes start October 17 and November 23. Apply in 2 minutes, or join a free info session any Monday at 5 PM.
Help a neighbor start a new career
Your gift helps San Bernardino residents afford career training and keeps youth prevention and mentorship free.