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*.    

Skip to courses

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.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

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:
Wed 09/10/2024 -
Wed 09/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Sharon Reay
Course code:
Q00018794
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Entry 3)

Take your maths skills to the next level to help you with work or study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical numeracy skills for everyday life. This entry 3 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Functional skills maths courses aren’t like studying maths at school. You’ll learn maths in context. Develop maths skills to face real-life situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This entry 3 functional maths course is right for you if you want to enhance your maths skills to work or study. It can help you learn essential 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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/10/2024 -
Thu 03/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015512
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Thu 10/10/2024 -
Thu 10/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Sharon Reay
Course code:
Q00018797
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 10/10/2024 -
Thu 17/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Health Resource Centre (Newcastle upon T
Adelaide Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8BE
Tutor:
Surbhi Khanna
Course code:
Q00019562
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

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

Introduction to Helping in Schools - Level 1

If you are thinking about a career in teaching, this introductory course is for you. Teaching assistants are an integral part of the classroom. Not only do they provide vital support for pupils, but they also support the teaching that takes place. This course is ideal if you would like to know more about working as a teaching assistant. The role varies widely with some specialising in certain areas of education such as literacy, numeracy, music, specific learning needs and other disability support, English as a second language or behaviour. Teaching assistants can be found in schools for Early Years right through to secondary schools, and the number of TAs in one school can vary widely depending on necessity and amount of funding provided. This course will give you information about working as a teaching assistant (also known as a classroom assistant, a pupil support assistant, a teacher's aide, or abbreviated as a TA) and how you can provide support to teachers by providing teaching and learning support in whatever way possible.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 11/10/2024 -
Fri 29/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Ann Tayler Children's Centre (Hackney)
1-13 Triangle Road
Off Westgate Street
Hackney
E8 3RP
Tutor:
Tracey Shackle
Course code:
Q00011648
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Get ready for Work - Employability Skills

You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 11/10/2024 -
Fri 25/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Westwood Community Hub
Cross Keys House
31-35 Hampton Court
Westwood
Peterborough
PE3 7JB
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00015774
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Computer skills for work

Develop essential computer skills for the workplace with our Computer Skills for Work course. Learn how to use common software applications and improve your digital literacy. Ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their employability in today's digital world.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 11/10/2024 -
Fri 01/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Norwich Central Baptist Church (Norwich)
Duke Street
Norwich
NR3 3AP
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018621
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Professional Development: Employability Skills

Are you looking to upskill for employment? Then attend this course and boost your employability skills. 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 14/10/2024 -
Thu 17/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Bournemouth
G.01 & Meeting room 1a
Oxford Point
19 Oxford Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8GS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017094
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

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 14/10/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Usma Khan
Course code:
Q00016010
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Professional Development: SWAP Introduction to retail

Prepare for a career in retail with our SWAP Introduction to Retail course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to work in the retail sector. Ideal for individuals seeking to enter the retail industry or enhance their retail skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 14/10/2024 -
Fri 18/10/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Charles Burrell Centre
Staniforth Road
Thetford
IP24 3EA
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018629
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00