Great opportunity for anyone seeking to improve their workplace skills. Mike was the bees-knees! read more

Although the in-person classes are packed and highly competitive to get in, this review is about the online classes. The online classes are fabulous and help you review, clarify and enhance your understanding of the subject matter. I took the Excel 1 and 2 class and it has left me in awe on how much I know excel now. read more

This is a great opportunity for anyone seeking to improve their skills, they helped a lot

I just completed excel 2 and couldn't be prouder that I'm improving my skills! You won't regret signing up and learning. Mike is the best teacher giving students the opportunity to learn hands-on and gaining valuable workplace skills. read more

I went here to try to get a typing certificate. I was told to sign up online, which I did. Within minutes I received an email from Nadya, in the email she said there would be another document coming for me to sign. Also she said if i don't get it please email her back. I emailed her back and she never responded. It's now been four business days and nothing. I'm trying to find work and this place was zero help. read more

If u are looking for a place don't go here i found a better program it's Bay Area cna u do have to pay but way better than this program and the teachers are way nicer and are very understanding about u not feeling well and let u take breaks and care more about ur safety they let u shadow and do stuff but also comes with them backing u up from getting treated bad by the cna in like this program they really don't care read more

Highly recommended. A lifesaver. Most helpful for jobseekers or those without a way to enroll in paid classes as they offered the online evening classes for free to residents. It's absolutely a great place to start learning new skills while updating several familiar skills. I appreciate the fact that it wasn't a self-study course. It was very reassuring to have our teachers discussing and answering our on-the-spot questions. I first tried the proctored and timed online typing test where I got an option for a second try; it was a friendly experience that you can pass if you practice enough. For this test certification, you can tell them what the employer/job posting requires and the test will be customized according to it. In my case, I needed a minimum of 40 words per minute in a standard 5-minute test. For online classes, it is assumed that the student is able to use a computer with some basic computer skills and has visual, hearing, and mouse click/typing abilities. You need to be able to read what is being shared on-screen, hear the instructions, and type/click/right click the practical part while you share your own screen. I did their lessons simultaneously on an updated Zoom software on a computer with a Windows OS. (Zoom on a mobile isn't doable because of the exercise we do on-the-spot and the MS Word/PowerPoint/Excel software on a Mac OS would have some differences that may not be in the lesson handouts.) Some of my classmates used a Mac and the teacher will guide you, but if you have access to Windows-based MS Office, it's best to start with Windows. If you take all the classes in one season like I did, the MS Word & PowerPoint schedule may overlap on some days back-to-back (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM; 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM) with the MS Excel class, but it's manageable enough. The online MS Word and MS PowerPoint was offered under one teacher who was quite creative and had a knack for building rapport; it was fun and interesting. I learned a lot and liked the video creation, digital calendars/calling cards and translation features the most. It's interesting that our teacher had a YouTube channel using videos made from PowerPoint. Students can use the free version, but I think everyone in my class used the paid version. The most challenging achievement to complete was the online MS Excel 1, 2, and 3 series. Here, students really need the paid version of MS Excel from at least 2019 or the latest in 365. Students need to pass Excel 1 as a pre-requisite for #2, then pass #2 to get to #3. Excel 3 is what most people doing their research/thesis or working would need with the big data analyses and pivot charts. The XLOOKUP and VLOOKUP were convenient too. The practical side of budgeting and the Goal-Seek topic were very nice. For MS Excel, come on time or even at least 5 minutes earlier because our teacher is always on time. Then, you'd be able to check if you can hear and see things on Zoom just fine. It's also best not to miss a session because the practical part of doing it matters a lot. Be on time for the quiz or you won't be allowed to take it. Our teacher is very organized and kind. I like the fact that the pacing is just right and there's a lot of time to practice over the weekend. The lessons and clear instructions were easy to follow along. It was also nice that there were video recordings of the sessions in case you missed a meeting on Google Drive. And the practice quizzes were epic. If you survive the practice quizzes, then you'll survive the actual quizzes under time pressure on the day itself. One of the memorable expressions in breaking the ice was to do the practice parts "Just for chuckles." After completing the sessions, you'll surely be smiling over a job well done. Overall, I'm thankful to experience Opportunity Junction's timely help in this season. It was also most encouraging to see classmates learning with you. I believe that the experiences and time invested by everyone was truly worth it. Thank you so much! read more

I completed Excel 1 and Excel 2 through Opportunity Junction and want to give high praise for the classes. Really helpful for my job to be more efficient read more

A friend informed me of a free online Excel class provided through Opportunity Junction. I was aware of some of their offerings for low income individuals, but pleasantly surprised to find this class. (Although I don't qualify as low income, there is usually nothing left over after all the bills are paid.) The Excel classes I've taken have given me a greater knowledge of the program and is an invaluable asset as I continue to grow in my career as a bookkeeper. This will look great on my resume and is very useful in my everyday life. The instructor is great and provides helpful resources to keep for future reference. I am so grateful for this wonderful Non-profit! read more

I found that the Excel classes were very helpful. I walked in never working in Excel and left knowing how to work in Excel to create, edit spreadsheets it also helped me create budget spreadsheets with ease. Opportunity Junction is a great place to start a new career in computer. read more

I have taken another Excel class with Mike Carroll and am so excited for the next one. Mike is Awesome sauce! Mike Carroll is a Wizard of Excel. I have learned so much and continue to learn. I am so grateful to Opportunity Junction for the free night classes, especially being a Momager. These classes really up my skills. Opportunity Junction and Mike Carroll are truly the best! read more

I found that the classes in Excel at Opportunity Junction were extremely beneficial. The teacher is knowledgeable in the subject, and he cares that each student gains the knowledge. He takes the time to help you learn each task and can pinpoint your error and correct it so you can understand what you did wrong and then do it correctly. read more

I called to inquire about their typing tests and the lady who helped me over the phone (I didn't catch her name), was very nice and told me where I could submit a form online. Once I did that, I was contacted shortly after by Nadya to schedule my appointment. Nadya was also very helpful and was able to get me an appointment within days. I completed my typing test with her via zoom in a matter of 15 minutes! She quickly sent over my results via email and voila! That was done! I'm so impressed with Opportunity Junction and their staff. I am very happy with the service I have received. I was able to get what I needed in such a short amount of time. I definitely recommend this facility should you ever need to further your skills for any current or future job! read more

Opportunity Junction was so helpful! I had an unexpected change to my situation in 2019 that led me to shift my career path. I was excited to try something new, and luckily I was in a position to be able to take the time needed to find an option that provided the qualities I wanted in a fulfilling career. I felt confident in my ability to find a new job, but the Opportunity Junction team was highly referred and I figured that the more help I could get, the better. I wasn't sure if it would be beneficial for my situation, because I already had a great resume written, and I do quite well with interviews, so I was apprehensive going in. My career counselor, MJ, was absolutely amazing. She helped me really dig into what I was passionate about, and her positivity helped propel me forward. I found her coaching to be very supportive, and it gave me the extra motivation I needed to not settle for an option that I might not have been satisfied with long-term. Her supervisor Shaun was really helpful as well and made sure I received referrals for solid positions that provided the pay and benefits that I was looking for. After a variety of interviews with numerous organizations, I finally found the perfect career opportunity that matched my needs, and the introduction to that position came straight from MJ and Shaun. I could not be more appreciative of their help! I'm extremely satisfied with my experience with Opportunity Junction, I could not have asked for more! Thank you MJ and Shaun! read more

Wonderful agency that provides resources to further acquire job related skills and also provide typing tests. Staffing is courteous and professional! Highly recommend! read more

I can't say enough good things about this organization! From the first time I walked in the door to inquire about the Job Training and Placement Program I knew that I was doing something that could change my life - and I was right. The computer skills were great, but the caring staff and the 'life skills' were what really made the difference and gave me the confidence that I needed to get out there and find, not just a job, but a career. Almost exactly a year from the day that I started the JTPP, I started work for Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services. More than two years later, I have a great job that pays a wage I can actually live on. It wasn't always easy, and they WILL challenge you, but I can promise that you will get out what you put in. I'm still involved with the organization, working on their Do-It-Yourself Tax Assistance Program (another great program that provides 100% free tax help for low income people in the community) and being a part of the Alumni Council. The only thing I would have done differently is to have come in and checked them out sooner!! read more

After finishing the administrative program, I had the confidence I needed to get back in to a mind frame capable of anything. The support I received was appreciated and will never be forgottn read more

Opportunity Junction is a place where you can actually gain or regain the necessary skills to find a career. They teach you life skills, like money and time management, as well as how to balance and budget life expenses. Opportunity Junction teaches computer literacy classes, quickbooks for accounting, excel and busines math classes. They help with financial counseling, resources for education, housing, food, healthcare, mental and domestic health and safety referrals. The training program at Opportunity Junction can help you find a career that you can grow in and live self-sufficiently. They take the time to get to know you as an individual to encourage growth and development to maximize your strengths, so you are knowledgeable and confident in your abilities. Once an Alumni of Opportunity Junction you're always part of this community of people who always only want to see you succeed. Alum can always return for refresher courses and resume building to stay updated marketable. All of these are only some of the things working with Opportunity Junction can do. Not to mention the amazing potlucks luncheons and evening celebrations that are inevitable in such a genuinely helpful community environment. If you're in need of a kickstart on the road to self-sufficiency Opportunity Junction has definitely got you and your best interests covered. read more

Opportunity Junction is a very valuable organization to Contra Costa County. In a nutshell it gets individuals off of public assistance into the working world. The graduates of the program learn to fend for themselves and are weaned from depending on others to get by. The organization is efficient and effective. The utlimate goal is to place graduates into full time administrative positions. Overall, I believe that nearly 90 of the placements are still in their position or have been promoted after 1 year. That is incredible and speaks volume regarding the program's effectiveness. OJ also provides part-time staffing services for those students that are still looking for full time positions. We have used them in the past and were more than satisfied. We did not need to spend much time with the part time person and were obviously well trained before they came to us. I strongly recommend Opportunity Junction to all employees in the Contra Costa region. read more

Full disclosure - I work here! Nonetheless, let me recommend Opportunity Junction's Staffing Services. If you need temporary or ongoing office help, we'll hook you up with folks with good computer skills and great attitudes. Data entry, reception, event staffing, project teams - call us! read more

Opportunity Junction is a great place for a fresh start, they have a great training program and placement program. computer skills is great and the teacher Norman does a great job at teaching and helping to really understand the material. here you will find amazing and caring staff that will help you on every step of the way. everyone really makes a difference here, you will meet great people, and even become friends friends. this program is a great thing and i only wish i would have found them earlier. I'm in class 50 in this moment and I love it.! read more