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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GMCA Care Certificate and Interview Success (Step into Care)

This online pre-employment programme is designed to prepare and support you for a career in Adult Social Care. Following the new adult social care pathway, you’ll gain knowledge about the expected behaviours in the role, the rights of the people you will care for (and your own), and the key skills needed to support individuals. You’ll learn about Dementia, Mental Health, Autism, and Learning Disabilities. Together, we’ll complete the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and learn how to reduce distress through person-centred practice and Positive Behaviour Support. Over the five weeks, you’ll also work on improving your job application and interview skills, and you’ll be supported to provide a current CV to employers. After completing the course with WEA, our employee engagement officer will arrange a working interview in a social care setting, giving you the chance to experience the working environment firsthand

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Fri 07/02/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015991
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Level 1)

Work towards GCSE-level maths skills with this functional skills level 1 course. Progress your maths skills to help you access work and study opportunities. Functional maths improves your numeracy skills through real-life situations. Learn maths in context. Develop practical maths skills to help you in everyday situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This level 1 functional skills maths course can help you get a GCSE-equivalent qualification in maths. You’ll learn practical maths skills employers look for. 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:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Location:
Woodpecker Hall Academy (London)
North Star Community Trust
Cuckoo Hall Lane
London
N9 8DR
Course code:
Q00017471
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Entry Level Essential Digital Skills: Get Ready for Learning

This Entry level Digital Skills course helps you get ready for studying and daily life. You will learn how to use Microsoft Teams to talk and work with others and Canvas VLE to find and manage your course materials. We will also show you how to use your smartphone and laptop for everyday tasks like emailing, storing files, fixing simple tech problems, and searching the internet. By the end of this course, you will feel confident using these digital tools, ready for your studies and daily life.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Fri 10/01/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Sasha Novikova
Course code:
Q00017839
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

Award in Mentoring Level 2

Improve your mentoring skills to help others reach their full potential. This course builds on your existing knowledge of mentoring and support practices and helps you learn key skills for social work. Mentoring courses teach you crucial soft skills for support work, such as leadership and communication skills. This mentoring course is also perfect for you if you're interested in care work, youth work, or youth sports coaching.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
CGL Widnes (change, grow, live)
Canal Side Industrial Estate
Constance Way
Widnes
North West
WA8 0QR
Tutor:
Neil Connaughton
Course code:
Q00019329
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 3)

Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. 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 entry 3 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:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Thu 27/02/2025
Location:
Mill Road Community Centre
6 Hazel Street
Cambridge
South East
CB1 2GN
Course code:
Q00015772
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £226.80

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:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Times:
9:00am - 5:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Hull CVS
The Strand
75 Beverley Road
Hull
HU3 1XL
Tutor:
Catherine Wilcock
Course code:
Q00018162
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

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:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 01/04/2025
Location:
Hull CVS
The Strand
75 Beverley Road
Hull
HU3 1XL
Course code:
Q00018163
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Award in Preparing to Work in Schools Level 1

Get a view into the enriching world of teaching and learning. If you’d like to work in a school, with kids or in an admin role, this course is the perfect first step. Whether you plan to get a teaching qualification or just want a taster into the school environment, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for in school staff. In this course you’ll learn foundational concepts for working in a learning environment. It can help you decide whether a job at a school is right for you

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Thu 06/03/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
St Andrews St Baptist Ch (Cambridge)
43 St. Andrews Street
Cambridge
CB2 3AR
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00015751
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Award in Mentoring Level 1

Mentoring is a great way for you to help other people reach their potential. This can be a very rewarding experience both personally and professionally. Mentoring courses teach you essential leadership and communication skills for social work. This mentoring course gives you an insight into the world of mentorship. It can help you decide if you want to start working in mentorship or other support roles. Some examples include care work, youth work, or youth sports coaching. Understand the role of a mentor. Study best practices for effective mentorship. Gain awareness of the importance of the “mentoring agreement”.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Barbara Ricci
Course code:
Q00018588
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care Level 2

Gain deeper understanding of social care provision for adults with this level 2 adult social care course. If you want to learn skills for care jobs and believe in person-centred approaches to social care, this is the right course for you. Explore job roles and services within the adult social care sector, the role of communication in social care, and the importance of valuing the individuals being cared for. This course teaches you essential skills employers look for and specific skills for social work.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018960
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00