It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or advanced in using the computer.

It doesn’t matter whether you want to connect with family and friends, increase your knowledge for your home business or strengthen your skill-set as an employee competing for jobs in the marketplace.

That’s because there are workshops, seminars and in-depth training available in various neighborhoods throughout Oakland for all your computer and Internet needs.  And good news - most are free or low-cost. 

The following is partial list of what is available:

Oakland Adult & Career Education Center - OACE was recently forced by state budget cuts to close two of its oldest centers – Edward Shands at 2455 Church St. and Neighborhood Centers Adult School at 750 International Blvd. Rumors started that computer training was one of the programs cut. But fortunately, Spring 2011 marks the return of the full range of career education/computer classes needed for the Administrative Assistant I & II programs as well as other computer training. Contact OACE for availability and locations.

Administrative Office, McClymonds Educational Complex
2607 Myrtle St., Oakland, CA  94607
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
(510) 879-3036
www.oaceonline.org or www.ousd.k12.ca.us  (follow links to Oakland Adult & Career Education Center)

Oakland One-Stop Centers: These are career centers that provide a wide range of services from career/computer training to help finding a job. Employment Development Department satellite centers are also on site.

Oakland Career Center
1212 Broadway, Suite 100 (near 12th Street BART), Oakland, CA  94612
9 a.m. to 4:45p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Friday
(510) 768-4400, 768-4473 
www.oaklandpic.org or www.eastbayworks.com

The English Center
66 Franklin St., Suite 300, Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 836-6700 ext 300      
www.eastbayworks.com
3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
Services available in: Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Bosnian, Cantonese, Farsi, Tibetan, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese

Lao Family Community Development Inc.
1551 23rd Ave. Oakland, CA 94606
(510) 533-8850    
www.eastbayworks.com
9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
Services available in: Bosnian, French, Cantonese, Khmer, Khmu, Lao, Mandarin, Mien, Tai Dam, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese

Merritt College One-Stop Shop
12500 Campus Drive Q202, Oakland, CA 94619
(510) 436-2449
www.eastbayworks.com
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday
Services available in: Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish

The Unity Council Multi-Cultural One Stop Career Center
1900 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 535-6101   
www.eastbayworks.com
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Services available in: Cambodian, Cantonese, Laotian, Mandarin, Mien, Spanish and Vietnamese

OCCUR Technology Centers: OCCUR, a 55-year old community organization, has two technology centers. The centers offer classes and other tech services for children, youth, adults and seniors. The centers were established in response to, “the ever-widening divide in technology access and computer literacy in underserved areas in Oakland.”  Learn more at www.occurnow.org .

Eastmont Technology Center
Eastmont Intel Computer Clubhouse
6948 Foothill Blvd. at 73rd Avenue, Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 382-0555  
Technology Center:  etc@sbcglobal.net    
Computer Clubhouse: nik_etc@sbcglobal.net

Lion Creek Crossings
Neighborhood Networks Learning Center
885  69th  Ave., Suite 100, Oakland, CA  94621
(510) 969-4572    
info@lioncreekcrossings.net

The Alameda County Small Business Development Center (formerly East Bay SBDC): SBDC offers workshops and seminars to help balance your budget or manage the office needs of your small business along with a wealth of other workshops and services. Local artists and businesspeople who are experienced in their subject matter teach the classes. Sessions are held at different sites around Oakland and the Bay Area. Workshops for those interested in upgrading computer skills include Basic Bookkeeping, Introduction to Quick Books and How to Use Social Media (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook).

The City Center
1330 Broadway, Suite 705, Oakland, CA  94612
(510) 208-0410     
acsbdc.org

And don't forget:

Oakland Digital Arts Literacy Center

1224 Harrison Street
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 435-2945

odalc.org

ODALC's mission is to advocate small business rights and build local community assets by helping struggling small businesses adapt to the digital economy through basic literacy classes in computing.

Tech Liminal

268 14 Street

Oakland, CA 94612

techliminal.com

Classes in blogging, wordpress, CSS and all sorts of useful tech skills!

You also can check with your local community colleges for more in-depth training and look at The Media Alliance for classes in speaking, copy-editing and other skills.

Also, Oakland Local is piloting small business trainings in social media marketing; contact Cynthia@oaklandlocal.com for more info, and check with Kwan@oaklandlocal.com re community and individual trainings  in news literacy, basic multimedia and more.