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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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:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 30/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00018349
How you'll learn:
Online
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 13/01/2025 -
Wed 29/01/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Barbara Ricci
Course code:
Q00012372
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Professional Development: Step into care

This course will help you to understand the nature of care and caring and examine the Care Standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in the health and social care sectors. Develop awareness of the variety of roles and opportunities available within the care sector including the NHS. This introduction to care course will support you to understand what skills are needed for the variety of opportunities available to you. This course may lead to further training, an award in health and social care, volunteering and employment. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 03/02/2025
Times:
9:15am - 11:15am
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tracey Cohen
Course code:
Q00015540
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Professional Development: Basic Health and safety skills

During this course, we will look at keeping you safe within your workplace. We will look at fire safety, signage, electrical safety, kitchen and food safety and manual handling around. Develop knowledge of how health and safety works within the workplace and who is responsible, recording and reporting measures and the requirements needed by employees, employers and organisations. This course will also look at health and safety at home and how to ensure yours and your family’s safety. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 20/01/2025
Times:
9:15am - 11:15am
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Marlene Clarke-Davis
Course code:
Q00015552
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Professional development: Customer Service Skills

The course is aimed at anyone who would like to broaden their knowledge on customer service skills. Ever wondered what is customer service and how to access opportunities to work in this sector? This course will support you to develop your knowledge of the variety of organisations that offer customer service roles. Learn about the roles and responsibilities available to you and the skills needed. This course may lead to further training, accredited qualifications, work experience, volunteering or employment. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
11:45am - 1:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Marlene Clarke-Davis
Course code:
Q00015551
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Time Management

Learning to plan your time more effectively can help you increase your personal productivity and perform better in various aspects of your life. If you feel like you’re constantly behind and rushing from one thing to the next, this time management training course can help you take the reins on your schedule. Learn techniques to help you enhance your productivity without burning out. Improving your time management skills can help you perform better in voluntary roles, work, or as a parent. It can also help you find ways to juggle all of these responsibilities without generating stress.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Mon 13/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00015747
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

Essential Digital Skills (Entry 3)

Digital skills are increasingly in demand in modern society. Picking up essential digital skills can help you go about your everyday life, as well as open doors to employment opportunities. This course starts at the beginning and covers everything from using a digital device to getting started on social media and making videos. This Entry-level 3 digital skills course is aimed at complete beginners- so don’t worry if this is new to you. If you want to learn digital skills for everyday life or improve your job prospects, this course is ideal for you. It's also suitable for people reentering the workforce after a long break.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Tutor:
Nutan Ramji
Course code:
Q00010363
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Employability & Skills: TBC

Attend our Employability course and boost your skills for work. If you’re entering the workforce for the first time or after a long break, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for and prepare you for the transition. Learn basic skills for jobs in any sector as well as key soft skills for your CV. Feel confident stepping into the workforce. This course will provide you with the soft skills required to get that job and give you the confidence and self esteem to sell what you have to offer to potential employers. Learning will take place in a relaxed environment with other like-minded learners, led by our expert tutor.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00016667
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Personal Development: Introduction to Counselling

Explore the fundamentals of counselling with our Introduction to Counselling course. Learn essential skills and techniques used in the counselling profession. Ideal for individuals considering a career in counselling or looking to enhance their interpersonal skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sasha Dineen
Course code:
Q00019017
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Confidence to Learn

Build your confidence in learning with our Confidence to Learn course. Learn techniques for overcoming learning challenges and developing a positive mindset. Ideal for individuals looking to improve their self-confidence and academic performance.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00017853
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60