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

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

Diploma in Counselling Level 3

Talking therapies help people overcome anxiety, trauma, bereavement, and many other problems they may be facing in life. If you’re keen to learn how to support people through challenging times, this counselling training is right for you. The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills gives you a solid understanding of theory and practical skills. Learn counselling skills you can apply in everyday life, be it for work or within a personal capacity. Counselling courses teach you fundamental skills employers look for. You’ll understand how to help others in a safe and constructive way. This course is right for you if you work in a role which requires counselling skills, or if you’re working towards accredited Counsellor Status.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Sun 28/09/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
77 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tracey Cohen
Course code:
Q00016970
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £2225.00

Professional Development: An Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring

Are you involved with working with others to help them to develop their talents? This may be in connection with your job, or possibly as part of a volunteering role, or interest. Find out from this course how Coaching and Mentoring can help to unlock other people’s potential in order to achieve their goals. We will be looking at how to use various techniques to help others identify their goals and work together to go through their short and long term options and commit to actions towards meeting these. If you are looking to support and nurture talent in others, helping to inspire others to hone new skills or career or person direction this is a good place to start.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/02/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00012167
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Award in Stress Awareness Level 1

Stress affects most people in the country at some point in life. Understanding the harmful effects of stress is essential to maintaining good mental health and well-being. This stress awareness course can help you recognise and deal with stress when it happens. This mental health awareness training helps you understand what you and others may be experiencing. It is also useful if you work in a support role such as mentor, counsellor, or carer. It will teach you important skills for care jobs if you want to work in adult social care.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/02/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00016026
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Professional Development: Basic First Aid skills

This course is for people who want to know what action to take in an emergency and how to deal effectively with accidents and injuries. Develop confidence and knowledge of how injuries can be prevented and how to take support others who are injured. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/02/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
9:15am - 11:15am
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Marlene Clarke-Davis
Course code:
Q00015563
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Employability & Skills

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 21/02/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Samantha Singh
Course code:
Q00016719
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

GMCA Care Certificate and Interview Success (Step into Care)

This is a pre-employment programme delivered online that is designed to support you into work within Adult Social Care. The programme will help you to prepare for work in a care setting. The programme consists of three elements: GMCA Care Certificate (where you will cover the theory elements of the Care Certificate), L1 Stress Awareness and L1 Mental Health Awareness (additional accredited courses you can join if suitable). Once you have completed the course with WEA, GM Careers will place you for a working interview in a social care setting. this is designed like a working interview, to give you the opportunity to try out the working environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/02/2025 -
Fri 28/03/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015993
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Personal Development: Counselling Skills Practice

This is a course designed for learners who have some experience or knowledge of counselling. It is an opportunity to gain more experience in counselling. You will be working with our wonderful Teacher Sasha Dineen. This course is for students to gain more practical counselling experience in triads (counsellor, client and observer) using the ten core counselling skills. To attend this course, it is useful if you have already completed a 6 week counselling skills course or have a Level 2/3/4 counselling qualification.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sasha Dineen
Course code:
Q00019022
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

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:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00020378
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00