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 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

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

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

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

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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

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

Personal Development: Advanced Language at Work

This Advanced level course will build on skills gained in the Pre Entry and Intermediate courses that you may have studied previously, or you may be assessed by the tutor as ready for this course straight away. It has been developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council which refers learners to this and to other courses hosed at the Old School based in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. This course is particularly suited to students who are unemployed and have been referred by a Job Centre to improve your spoken and written English and thereby develop the skills to empower you to get that job.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 23/01/2025 -
Thu 10/04/2025
Times:
9:45am - 12:15pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015663
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Confidence to Learn: Get ready for Maths Entry Level 3

Prepare to strengthen your foundational math skills with our Get Ready for Maths Entry Level 3 course. Tailored for learners looking to enhance their basic numeracy, this course covers essential topics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and understanding simple fractions and measurements. Through practical exercises and real-world applications, you'll gain the confidence to handle everyday math tasks, from budgeting and shopping to interpreting data. Ideal for those preparing for Entry Level 3 Functional Skills Maths assessments or seeking to improve their math for personal or professional use, this course provides the stepping stone to numeracy success. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. The Dolphin Centre is a women's only centre.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 23/01/2025 -
Thu 10/04/2025
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:
Q00017614
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £115.50

Professional Development: Mentoring and Professional Development

This practical course aims to help you to establish a mentoring relationship, initiate productive mentoring dialogues and to challenge people to identify goals and grow professionally and personally. You would need to mentor someone, for instance, a colleague as this is a practical course covering key skills including: questioning, goal-setting collaboratively and encouraging personal and professional growth.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 23/01/2025 -
Thu 13/03/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Eliahoo Charles
Course code:
Q00018032
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80