Thanks to OCCUR and the Stride Center, James Gibson III, a 26-year old Oaklander is now a computer technician making a great salary. The career move has changed his life.

James previously worked as a hazardous waste technician, security guard and after school instructor before enrolling in the Stride Center A+ Certification class at OCCUR's Eastmont Technology Center at 6948 Foothill Blvd. in Oakland. He always liked computers, but had no idea that it could be a career choice.

According to Stride Center Director of Training, Joe McKinley, "James is like a lot of people who don't realize that after a semester of training, they could have great and exciting new careers with good salaries. There are no limits to the success that computer jobs offer."

James has been working at ReliaTech doing computer repair, troubleshooting, refurbishing and assisting community organizations with computer issues. He was just recently hired by Unisys, a high-powered Bay Area firm as a computer technician and will begin next week. He believes that a lot more Oaklanders should take advantage of the Stride Center training program, which offers its next training session in January of 2010 and is signing up applicants now.

Those interested in registering for these classes should immediately call the Stride Center at (510) 234-1300 x 6 or (510) 860-9347 or go online to enroll at www.stridecenter.org. Training will start Monday January 11, 2010 at OCCUR's Eastmont Technology Center at 6948 Foothill Blvd.