Center for Nonprofit Excellence
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) works with nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers to think strategically and function more effectively. They provide in-person training and professional development opportunities as well as webinars for nonprofits, on topics such as cybersecurity, and project management fundamentals, and more!
Salinas Adult School Computer Classes
Salinas Adult School provides free computer classes, including basic computer skills, Microsoft Office, and skills for the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment.
Open P-TECH
IBM’s P-TECH curriculum offers free digital learning on the tech and professional skills of tomorrow!
Matrix Learning
Matrix Learning is a free, flexible way for job seekers to brush up on their skills. With things changing at a fast pace, online learning is one of the best ways to keep skills sharp. Whether taking hour-long courses or watching short videos, online learning is convenient and always available.
Google Tech Development Guide
Whether you’re a student or an educator, newer to computer science or a more experienced coder, or otherwise interested in software engineering, we hope there’s something for you here in Google’s Guide to Technical Development. This is a collection of materials from many sources, including Google, that you can use to supplement your classwork or direct your own learning.
Health Career Connection
Seeking hands-on experience, exposure & connections in the health field? Health Career Connection (HCC) has opportunities for undergraduates and recent college graduates. Learn how HCC inspires and empowers the next generation of diverse health professionals and leaders.
Walmart Live Better U
Walmart employees can earn a college degree, skilled trade diploma, professional certificate, or your high school diploma using your Walmart benefit. Gain valuable, in-demand skills in as few as 10 months in the following industries: Industrial and Facilities Maintenance, Electrical, Plumbing, Construction, HVAC/R, and more!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County
Volunteer to mentor a youth (age 7-14) to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth and develop your skills in mentoring. A Match Support Specialist from the agency will be in regular contact with you to provide assistance and give feedback.
Neonatal Resuscitation Program
Defib This! course is for healthcare providers who either direct or participate in any aspect of patient care during neonatal resuscitations. The Neonatal Resuscitation Program is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care of the Neonate.
Acute Care Nursing Series
Defib This! Acute Care Nursing series is a two-week intensive lecture and skills lab series which provides review and introductory info on the five most common emergencies that happen to our hospitalized patients, based on system. This course is designed for the third or fourth-semester nursing student who is seeking a clinical internship and subsequent employment in a high-acuity patient environment. This is also an excellent course for the new graduate nurse.
Professional career prep lectures and exercises prepare the student for their first nursing employment search process with resume assistance, mock interviews, and tips on marketing themselves for the current competitive job market.
Coursera
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
Google IT Professional Support Certificate
Google IT Professional Support Certificate helps address the huge demand for IT professionals, and is ideal for companies looking to upskill their workers into IT roles.
HubSpot Remote Work Guide
HubSpot provides a one-stop resource guide to make virtual collaboration efficient and enjoyable. From managing remote teams to running remote meetings and events, everything you need to know about remote work is here.
HubSpot Academy
Take your skills to the next level with HubSpot Academy free online training. From quick courses to comprehensive certifications, learn everything you need to know about SEO, social media, sales tactics & more.
Monterey Citizen Police Academy
Citizens’ Police Academy is a dynamic, exciting and informative three hours long, once a week, eleven-week program. The program is designed to provide Monterey residents with an interactive, hands-on, comprehensive overview and to provide the citizens with an understanding of the job knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the modern-day community-oriented police officer.
Santa Cruz Citizen Police Academy
The Santa Cruz Police Department’s popular Citizen Police Academy offers city residents an inside look at aspects of law enforcement most have never seen, in a series of free lectures, demonstrations and discussions.
Leadership Santa Cruz County
The Leadership Santa Cruz County program provides a broad base of community knowledge and experiences to class members. Each session focuses on a different essential component of our community – from law enforcement to environment and education to agriculture, just to name a few. Participants interact with a wide variety of community leaders from government, business, health care, and other industries and services.
Leadership Monterey County
Leadership Monterey County (LMC) builds awareness of local business and community concerns and encourages involvement and stewardship to help shape the future of Monterey County. It is a comprehensive focus on important community issues. The program strives to motivate new leaders into local government, advocacy in local policy, understanding the major job industries in Monterey County, and volunteerism in the community in which they live.
Cabrillo College Extension
Cabrillo College Extension provides various classes, for adults aged 18 and up, unless specifically noted on the class description, including computers and technology, money and investment, and professional skills and development.
Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board Career Centers
Workforce Santa Cruz County is a partnership of local organizations that service job seekers and businesses in the community and region. It includes a network of Career Centers in Watsonville and Capitola and a Watsonville Youth Center which offer an array of no cost services for businesses, employees, and job seekers.
University of California Alumni Career Network
The UC Alumni Career Network is a high-impact, online series designed to provide UC alumni and community members with the insights, information, and connections to launch, grow and expand your career opportunities.
Volunteer Center Volunteer Initiative Program
The Volunteer Center’s Volunteer Initiative Program matches interested community members with volunteer opportunities throughout Santa Cruz County Government. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with County departments including the District Attorney’s Office, the Health Services Agency, the Human Resources Agency, Law Library, Parks and Recreation, Personnel, Probation, and the Sheriff’s Department. These volunteer opportunities are great for professional development and skills-building.
YMCA Camp Campbell
The YMCA of Silicon Valley offers a variety of education and enrichment programs and has a location at Camp Campbell in Boulder Creek. Learn more about Camp Campbell here.
Loaves, Fishes, & Computers
Through volunteering at Loaves, Fishes & Computers (LFC), volunteers gain valuable technical, business and administrative skills appropriate for career exploration, career development, and higher education advancement. They also learn problem solving skills and how to work collaboratively as well as independently.
LINK
Founded by Your Future Is Our Business, a Santa Cruz County nonprofit, LINK connects students with local businesses and professionals to provide work-based learning opportunities.
GRID Alternatives
GRID Alternatives seeks to provide an effective, efficient, and equitable pathway into the solar industry. More than 3 million US workers are employed in well-paying clean energy jobs. GRID’s installation training programs help individuals launch careers in this booming industry. GRID offers two progressive certificate programs – Installation Basics Training (IBT) and Team Leader Training. Trainees may specialize in electrical or array work, or both.
Digital NEST
Through training, peer collaboration and professional mentorship, Digital NEST (Nurturing Entrepreneurial Skills with Technology) youth are supported in mastering the technological skills they need to pursue higher education and careers in our globally connected world.
Bay Area Cyber Camps & Competitions
The Bay Area Cyber Camps & Compeitions are part of San Francisco & Monterey Bay Area’s Cybersecurity regional efforts to provide awareness, training, design, and events to educate students to the fundamentals of Cybersecurity. The goal is to provide students the tools, knowledge and experience they’ll need to not only participate in the various contests throughout the year, but also begin their workforce training in a fun environment!
Alliance Career Training Solutions
With locations in Salinas and Santa Cruz, Alliance Career Training Solutions provides classes in software, business, and technical training.