Quick answer: If you want job training in Riverside, The Ayangbah Foundation offers live online classes with a real instructor, so you can learn from home. You can also take the same classes in person in downtown San Bernardino. We teach career readiness, Excel, QuickBooks and government contracting. No diploma or experience is required.
Riverside is a big, busy city. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates its population at about 323,000 as of July 2025. Many people here work hard but feel stuck. Maybe you need new skills, a better resume or a fresh start after a layoff. This guide explains your options and how our classes fit into a busy Riverside life.
Why Job Training in Riverside Matters Right Now
Census data for 2020–2024 shows that about 83% of Riverside adults age 25 and older finished high school. About 26% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. That means most working adults in the city do not have a four-year degree. Short, practical training can help close that gap.
Riverside's largest employers, as listed in the city's annual financial report, include the County of Riverside, March Air Reserve Base, UC Riverside, Kaiser Permanente, Riverside Unified School District and Riverside Community Hospital. These employers value office skills, clear communication and people who show up ready to work. Our classes focus on exactly those basics.
Online Job Training in Riverside: Learn From Home
Every class we offer is taught live online. A real instructor teaches in real time. It is not a recorded video. You can ask questions, work through examples and get feedback during class.
This matters if you live in Riverside. You skip the drive. You save on gas. You can join from your kitchen table after work. We offer day, evening and Saturday classes, so you can fit learning around your job or family.
Classes Riverside residents can take
- Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Employment Training: a 40-hour certificate program over 4 weeks ($1,200). It covers job search, workplace skills and small business basics. See our post on career readiness training in the Inland Empire.
- Microsoft Excel & Office Essentials: 12 hours ($297). Learn formulas, charts, Word and Outlook.
- QuickBooks Bookkeeping Essentials: 12 hours ($297). Learn invoices, bills, bank reconciliation and reports.
- Government Contracting Academy: a cohort-based program on SAM.gov registration, certifications, finding bids and proposal writing.
- Friday Contracting Workshops: 2-hour sessions for $97, or 4 for $297.
- Public Speaking & Communication Lab and Entrepreneurship & Small Business workshops.
Industry certifications such as Forklift, OSHA 10, CPR, ServSafe, CompTIA A+ and Google IT are coming in 2027. You can join the interest list now.
Prefer In-Person? Downtown San Bernardino Is Close
Some people learn best in a classroom. Our training site is at 255 N. D Street, Suite #200-XXVII, in downtown San Bernardino. From Riverside, most people drive north on I-215.
If you would rather take the train, Metrolink's Inland Empire–Orange County Line runs between Riverside–Downtown and San Bernardino. Check Metrolink's current schedule before you go, since train times change.
Can Riverside Residents Get Help Paying for Training?
You may qualify for help through WIOA, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Here is the key detail: Riverside is in Riverside County, not San Bernardino County. WIOA funding is managed locally by each area's workforce board. So Riverside residents should start with Riverside County Workforce Development.
The Riverside County Workforce Development Center is at 1325 Spruce Street, Suite 110, Riverside, CA 92507. Its website lists the phone number as (833) 391-0507. Call ahead to confirm hours and what to bring. You can also find any American Job Center with the locator on CareerOneStop.org.
We cannot promise funding. But our team can help you prepare. Read our WIOA eligibility checklist for California before you call.
Who Teaches the Classes?
The Ayangbah Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It was founded by Dr. Shirley Ayangbah, a professor and economist. She holds a PhD in International Law, master's degrees in Economics and International Relations, and a BBA in Accounting. Our organization is also registered on SAM.gov (CAGE 249H1), so our contracting lessons come from real experience.
For Employers in Riverside
Riverside's largest employers include the County of Riverside, UC Riverside, Kaiser Permanente and Riverside Community Hospital. Hospital and clinic employers can send front-desk and administrative staff to our Excel, Office and communication courses, offered live online and in nearby downtown San Bernardino. Read our healthcare front-office training guide or partner with us.
How to Get Started
- Apply online. It takes about five minutes.
- Meet with our team to check funding eligibility and build your career plan.
- Pick your schedule: day, evening or Saturday, in person or online.
- Start class. See upcoming dates on the class schedule.
Not sure yet? Join the free info session any Monday at 5 PM, or call or text (909) 454-7076.
Our next start dates are October 17 and November 23. You can also email info@ayangbahfoundation.org or browse all programs.
FAQ
Where can I get free or low-cost job training in Riverside, CA?
Start with Riverside County Workforce Development at 1325 Spruce Street in Riverside to ask about WIOA funding. The Ayangbah Foundation offers affordable live online classes, and you may qualify for funding to cover them.
Can I take job training classes online if I live in Riverside?
Yes. Every Ayangbah Foundation class is taught live online by a real instructor in real time. You can join from Riverside or anywhere in the U.S.
Do I need a high school diploma for job training in Riverside?
No. Our classes do not require a diploma or prior work experience. You just need to be ready to learn.
How do I get from Riverside to downtown San Bernardino for class?
Most people drive north on I-215. You can also ride Metrolink's Inland Empire–Orange County Line from Riverside–Downtown to San Bernardino; check current schedules first.
Does Riverside County pay for job training through WIOA?
Riverside County residents may qualify for WIOA-funded training through Riverside County Workforce Development. Eligibility and funding are decided by the local workforce board, so contact them directly.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Riverside city, California (V2025 population estimate; 2020–2024 education data); City of Riverside Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, principal employers (via Wikipedia); Riverside County Workforce Development (rivcoworkforce.org); Metrolink Inland Empire–Orange County Line route information; CareerOneStop.org.