Opportunity Build

Do you want to start building your career? We can help.

An Opportunity Build: Women Building the Bay 2022 graduate.
Opportunity Build students commit to 10-12 weeks of learning and preparing for success in the construction trades. Following up to 325 hours of classroom instruction and hands-on training with retired union tradespeople, graduates receive a full year of employment and job retention support—entirely free. We offer an annual all-women cohort, Women Building the Bay.

Learn More

All enrolled students must:

 

  • Be at least 18 or older
  • Have a Social Security number/US work authorization
  • Have a valid photo ID or driver’s license
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Have proof of COVID-19 vaccination (fully vaccinated)
  • Qualify as low income

Upcoming in-person info session dates for Opportunity Build Core (Summer), Co-ed cohort:

 

  • Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  • Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  • Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  • Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 12:00 PM

 

All info sessions will occur at 1116 36th Street, Oakland, CA. Please arrive at least 30 minutes in advance of the scheduled start time. You must attend an info session to schedule and interview.

 

Contact Omara Sin, Recruitment and Operations Manager, with questions at sin@risingsunopp.org.

2026 Training Dates

February 3–April 25 | Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM; Saturdays, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Opportunity Build Core (Nights and Weekends), Co-ed

For students that have daytime commitments, we offer a Tuesday/Thursday evening and Saturday day class.

 

This cohort is full and no longer accepting applications.

photo of person working

July 27–October 2 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Opportunity Build Core (Summer), Co-ed

This full-time cohort supports students of all genders and backgrounds in launching new careers in the skilled trades.

 

 

October 13–December 18 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Women Building the Bay (Fall)

Opportunity Build’s Women Building the Bay is the premier program in the Bay Area for connecting women and non-binary students to careers in the trades.

 

We are offering a $2000 monthly stipend for every participant in this cohort to help participants pay for living expenses while participating in full-time training. We will prioritize those with a demonstrated financial need. These stipends may impact your eligibility for public benefits (CalFresh, MediCal, CalWorks, etc.) and your income taxes. If you are concerned about the potential impacts of this financial assistance on public assistance benefits and taxes, we encourage you to reach out to Marlin Jeffreys at jeffreys@risingsunopp.org.

Meet Anthony

New Door Ventures interviews Anthony, 2024 Glow Up Award winner and 2023 Opportunity Build graduate