Veterans job training in San Bernardino can help you turn your military skills into a civilian career. The Ayangbah Foundation's career training is $0 for WIOA-eligible residents, and veterans can also ask their local America's Job Center of California about priority of service.
Leaving the military is a big change. You already have discipline, teamwork, and leadership. The challenge is often explaining those strengths in words civilian employers understand. This guide shows you where to start in the Inland Empire.
Why Veterans Job Training in San Bernardino Helps
Many veterans have strong skills but face a few common bumps when moving into civilian work:
- Military titles and duties that do not match civilian job listings
- Resumes full of acronyms that hiring managers may not know
- Little practice with civilian-style interviews
- Uncertainty about which local industry fits best
Training gives you a structured way to work through these, along with a plan for what comes next.
A good first exercise is to rewrite your military experience in everyday words. Instead of a rank or job code, describe what you actually did: led a team, kept equipment running, tracked supplies, trained new people, or stayed calm under pressure. Those are skills every employer understands. Ask a friend outside the military to read your resume and point out anything that sounds like jargon.
Know Your Benefits and Where to Ask
Under WIOA, the federal law that funds much of the public workforce system, veterans and eligible spouses generally receive priority of service in many job training programs. America's Job Centers of California often have staff who focus on helping veterans find work. Contact the East Valley America's Job Center of California at 500 Inland Center Dr, San Bernardino, (909) 382-0440 (confirm current hours at workforce.sbcounty.gov) and ask about veteran services.
You may also have education benefits, such as the GI Bill, through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Rules and amounts vary, so confirm what you qualify for directly with the VA at va.gov.
Career Training at The Ayangbah Foundation
The Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Employment Training is a certificate program held in person in downtown San Bernardino. It is 40 hours over 4 weeks, Monday through Friday for 2 hours a day. You will cover:
- Leadership
- Digital marketing
- Grants and financial literacy
- Business development
Each student takes a career assessment and builds a personal 30/60/90-day plan. For many veterans, that kind of clear mission plan feels familiar. The next cohort starts in November 2026.
Starting a Business or Selling to the Government
Some veterans want to build their own business. The Entrepreneurship & Small Business workshops cover business plans, licensing, bookkeeping, and pitching to local judges, with referrals to the SBDC.
If you are curious about public contracts, the Government Contracting Academy teaches how to register, get certified, find bids, and write proposals. California has a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certification, and there are federal programs for veteran-owned businesses too. Confirm current requirements with the California Department of General Services and SAM.gov.
How to Enroll
- Apply online
- Complete an intake and WIOA eligibility check, with help registering in CalJOBS
- Take a career assessment
- Start class
No prior experience or diploma is required. Our pathway follows five steps: Assess, Learn, Practice, Connect, Launch. It is one of several free job training programs for adults that can support workforce development in San Bernardino.
FAQ
Do veterans get priority for job training?
Under WIOA, veterans and eligible spouses generally receive priority of service in many programs. Confirm how this works for you at your local America's Job Center of California.
Can I use veterans job training in San Bernardino along with my GI Bill?
It depends on the program and your benefits. Check with the VA at va.gov about your education benefits, and ask during intake about WIOA eligibility for our training.
I was laid off after leaving the service. Can I still get help?
Yes, you may qualify for services. WIOA has a Dislocated Worker program for people who were laid off. Confirm your eligibility at an America's Job Center of California.
You served your country. Now let us help you take your next step. Apply online to start your intake, and learn more about the Career Readiness & Entrepreneurship Employment Training.