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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Professional Development: Special Education Needs and Disability Taster

Do you work in an education setting with pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities – or are you interested in pursuing this as a career? If so – why not sign up for our short taster course – to help increase your knowledge or to see if this could be the right career path for you. In this course learners will find out about the range of special needs that are commonly found in an educational setting and strategies that are used to help every pupils be as happy and successful as possible.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 30/11/2023 -
Thu 30/11/2023
Times:
5:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00009586
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £11.10

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 01/12/2023 -
Fri 09/02/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust (Birmingham)
36 Great Charles Street Queens
Birmingham
B3 3JY
Tutor:
Bate Bate
Course code:
Q00012681
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Entry Level Digital Skills

Get digitally fit for modern life and gain confidence in facing situations that require digital skills. Build on your basic computer skills in this Improvers course and see how digital training can help to transform your life. This intermediate Digital Skills course is for anyone wanting to improve their computer skills. Digital training teaches you skills for learning, life, and work. Improving your digital skills can help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 01/12/2023 -
Fri 09/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust (Birmingham)
36 Great Charles Street Queens
Birmingham
B3 3JY
Tutor:
Bate Bate
Course code:
Q00012683
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Supporting Autistic Children & Teens

Having a child or loved one receive an autism diagnosis can be worrying and unsettling. It’s difficult to know how best to support autistic children’s needs without external guidance. This autism course can teach you how to offer support to help autistic young people live healthy and fulfilling lives. This taster course is ideal for you if you have regular contact with autistic children or teenagers. It is aimed at parents, family members, community workers, or volunteers who interact closely with autistic kids. It can be useful both if you are going through diagnosis, and also if you feel you need extra resources to help support a developing autistic child.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/12/2023 -
Wed 13/12/2023
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00009553
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £29.60

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:
WEA Membership

Using Canvas to Learn

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/12/2023 -
Wed 06/12/2023
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00012902
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

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 04/12/2023 -
Wed 12/06/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
42 sessions
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00012064
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Professional Development: Introduction to Customer Service Skills

The course is aimed at anyone who would like to broaden their knowledge of customer service skills. We will cover the basics including identifying the needs and expectations of customers, how to deal with customers in challenging situations and much more.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/12/2023 -
Fri 15/12/2023
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Tutor:
Rosalyn Curwen
Course code:
Q00011535
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £166.50

Pre-Entry Essential Digital Skills: IT for Beginners With Cooking

Ever struggled with writing emails, shopping online, enrolling for a course or accessing information online? If yes, come along to this short course to learn the digital skills essential for daily home and work life! Enhance your IT skills during this short cookery course. You will learn easy to follow recipes as well as digital skills! These skills are necessary to help you at work, to study and in everyday life. These include knowing how to use social media, send emails, create documents, save documents, search information online, online shopping, to name a few. Having the knowledge about these skills, will make it easier for you to stay connected, find information and succeed in life. This short course will also help you understand how to stay safe online and protect your personal information too.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/12/2023 -
Tue 12/12/2023
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Nunsmoor Centre (Newcastle Upon Tyne)
Studley Terrace
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 5PA
Tutor:
Rupa Marwaha
Course code:
Q00011671
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

Personal Development: DWP CV Writing Workshop

The CV writing workshop will empower Department for Work and Pensions claimants to create a new CV or update an existing CV with the help of an experienced tutor. You will learn the basic concepts and importance of an effective CV, ensuring that it includes personal details, information on education, work experience, key skills and references. Where appropriate you will receive support to tailor CVs to specific job roles with a view to improve prospects for being invited for an interview. It will be an opportunity to obtain individual feedback, review drafted CVs and address any individual queries and concerns. This course is for learners of the DWP, Wellington Street, Leicester only.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 06/12/2023 -
Wed 06/12/2023
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Wellington Street Job Centre
Crown Buildings
60 Wellington Street
Leicester
LE1 6DS
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00012867
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Intro to Careers in Education

Embark on an explorative journey with our "Intro to Careers in Education" course, which offers a dynamic overview of diverse roles within education and the different pathways you can follow to get there. Guiding learners through the possibilities of teaching, administration, student support and more. Discover the essential skills and qualifications needed for each path. Uncover your strengths and challenges while considering a selection of courses and pathways to kick-start your journey. From teacher certification programs to educational support courses, this comprehensive introduction equips you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your educational career. Take the first step towards considering a fulfilling profession in education by enrolling in this enlightening course.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 07/12/2023 -
Fri 15/12/2023
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Tutor:
Suzanne Locke
Course code:
Q00013046
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00