If you are looking for work, need to get a better job, or want to improve your work skills, the WEA is here for you. We have a great track record of helping people like you gain the skills and confidence they need for work. Best of all, most of our work skills courses are free*.    

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You can improve your job opportunities with the WEA.  

Reach your potential  

We know you can reach your potential in three simple steps:  

  • Build your confidence and essential skills  
  • Develop skills related to specific types of jobs  
  • Progress in your current job by boosting your current skills and learning new ones  

Supportive classes

The WEA and our team of supportive tutors are here for you at every step.  Whether you’re a jobseeker, have recently been made redundant or you simply want to move up the ladder, we have a course for you.   

Improve your English, maths or digital skills to earn more money.  Find courses in health and social care, community interpreting, schools and childcare and more.   

Find out more about job hunting, take courses to become more employable or change your career. Boost your employability skills and stand out on that job application.    

Learn your way with the WEA

Take a short, informal course or gain a national qualification. Learning in a classroom, in a work setting or at home, you’ll always have the same great support from your tutor.  

There’s something for everyone.

*Over 90% of applicants for skills courses do not need to pay a fee. Subject to status  - courses are free for unemployed people, job seekers and people on low wage. If you do not qualify you will be alerted during the application process.

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Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

Develop skills to help you read, write, and communicate in English with confidence. Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. Level 1 functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations. Functional Skills level 1 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. Functional Skills qualifications are free if you don't already have a GCSE in English or Maths at grades A*-C, or 4-9. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 23/01/2025 -
Thu 10/04/2025
Location:
Holyoake House (Manchester)
Holyoake House
Hanover Street
Manchester
M60 0AS
Course code:
Q00016138
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Confidence to Learn: Get ready for Maths Level 1

This course is designed to prepare learners for the Functional Skills Level 1 Maths qualification. It covers essential mathematical concepts and practical problem-solving skills needed for everyday situations. Topics include basic arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, simple algebra, geometry, and data handling. Through interactive lessons, real-life examples, and practice exercises, students will build confidence and competence in using maths effectively. Ideal for those seeking to enhance their employment prospects or further their education, this course offers comprehensive support to help students achieve success in their Level 1 Maths assessments. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. This course is held at the Dolphin Women's Centre and so is only for female learners.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 24/01/2025 -
Fri 11/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00017615
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £115.50

Pre-Entry Digital Skills

Learn to use digital devices and gain essential computer skills for professional and personal use. Digital training helps you move with the times and not get left behind. This beginner’s course is for anyone who wants to learn digital skills, no matter your current knowledge. This course is appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is all new to you. Learn to use word processing software and fill out online forms in this Digital Skills course. Understand how to use email and search for information online. This digital skills training also teaches you how to shop online securely. You’ll understand online safety and data storage

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 24/01/2025 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Taaziz Grada
Course code:
Q00013096
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Employability CEIAG

In this course you will learn about the responsibilities and expectations required of school staff as well as understand employment options available. This will enable you to make informed choices about the work experience and longer term schools based employment options available to you. You will also learn about the behaviour and responsibilities expected of school staff. Schools benefit from a variety of different staff that support the learning and welfare of pupils. In addition to the main teacher in each classroom, there are many other jobs inside and outside of lessons that contribute to how a school runs and how pupils learn. These jobs are typically called support roles, and make up half of the workforce in schools.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Wed 29/01/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Andrew Read
Course code:
Q00011604
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Getting ready for Care

Begin your journey into the care sector with our Step into Care course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality care to clients. Ideal for individuals considering a career in care or looking to enhance their caregiving skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Location:
Norwich Central Baptist Church (Norwich)
Duke Street
Norwich
NR3 3AP
Course code:
Q00018949
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Introduction to Working as a Teaching Assistant

1. Discover employment routes into different areas within the education sector and explore the skills you will need to progress. 2. Explore the national curriculum of England and the different skills that are learned through play 3. Research strategies for teaching literacy and numeracy 4. Examine children's social, emotional and behavioural development in education 5. Find out about disabilities and working in special needs education

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Liaucius
Course code:
Q00020089
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Social media and marketing for work

Learn the essentials of social media and marketing with our Social Media and Marketing for Work course. Understand how to use social media platforms to promote your business effectively. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their marketing skills for professional purposes.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 29/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018626
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 30/01/2025 -
Thu 08/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Maja Konkolewska
Course code:
Q00020377
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Level 2

If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 31/01/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Location:
Ann Tayler Children's Centre (Hackney)
1-13 Triangle Road
Off Westgate Street
Hackney
E8 3RP
Course code:
Q00017734
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Award in Mental Health Awareness Level 1

If you’re interested in learning more about mental health issues, this level 1 course can teach you the foundational concepts. You’ll get a view into the nature of mental health work and the issues that face people struggling with it. Level 1 health and social care courses about mental health can teach you the basic principles of mental health care. If you enjoy this course you can continue your learning in this area. Mental health awareness training can help you understand if this area of work interests you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/02/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00016012
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00