WEA courses

This course is funded by the Greater London Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Greater London Combined Authority area. This advanced course is designed for experienced textile and fashion learners who want to push their creative practice by exploring sophisticated embellishment techniques. Focusing on both traditional and contemporary methods, the course teaches how to design, construct, and apply a wide range of decorative elements to enhance garments, accessories, or textile artworks. Learners will experiment with advanced surface-decoration processes such as beadwork, hand embroidery, appliqué, fabric manipulation, 3D textile structures, couture embellishment techniques, and mixed-media detailing. They will investigate how embellishments can elevate a design concept, add texture, create focal points, and communicate personal style. Students will work through idea development, sampling, and refinement, creating a series of high-quality embellishment tests before applying selected techniques to a final project. The course also explores professional considerations, including design cohesion, durability, placement, and how to integrate embellishment into finished pieces without overwhelming the form or construction. With tutor guidance, learners will develop their own creative direction while strengthening precision, craftsmanship, and problem-solving skills. By the end of the course, participants will have a collection of advanced embellishment samples and a fully embellished piece that showcases technical expertise and a strong design identity—ideal for portfolio building or progressing towards professional work.

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. This short course helps you learn how to write a clear and simple CV. A CV is a document that tells employers about you, your skills, and your experience. During the course, you will learn what a CV is and why it is important when looking for work or volunteering. You will look at the different parts of a CV, such as your personal details, skills, work and/or volunteering experience. You will think about your own strengths and the things you are good at. You will practise writing short sentences about yourself and your experience. The course will also help you understand what employers want to see on a CV and how to present your information clearly. By the end of the course, you will have created your own CV that you can use when applying for jobs, courses, or volunteering opportunities. You will also feel more confident talking about your skills and experience. You will look at the different parts of a CV, such as your personal details, skills, work and/or volunteering experience. You will think about your own strengths and the things you are good at. You will practise writing short sentences about yourself and your experience. The course will also help you understand what employers want to see on a CV and how to present your information clearly. By the end of the course, you will have created your own CV that you can use when applying for jobs, courses, or volunteering opportunities. You will also feel more confident talking about your skills and experience

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. This course introduces you to creative art activities that help with relaxation, confidence, and wellbeing. It’s perfect if you want to explore creativity in a friendly, supportive environment. You don’t need any previous art experience. You will take part in practical activities such as drawing, painting, collage, and experimenting with different materials. You’ll be encouraged to explore ideas, try new techniques, and express yourself through art. You’ll also learn how creative activities can support your wellbeing by helping you relax, focus, and enjoy a sense of achievement. You can work at your own pace while sharing ideas and experiences with others. The course is delivered through step-by-step guidance and hands-on activities that build your confidence and creativity. By the end of the course, you will have developed basic creative skills and a better understanding of how art can support your wellbeing and self-expression.

This course is funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority and only available to residents living within the East Midlands Combined County Authority area. Learn basic writing skills with this foundational English course for beginners. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn to write in English to study, work, and live in the UK. Entry 1 ESOL courses help people who are just starting to learn English. It will help you gain confidence to write basic sentences in English. There are also reading and speaking & listening courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

This course is funded by the East Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. Maths for Work Readiness is a practical Entry 3 course designed to help learners develop the numeracy skills needed for employment and workplace settings. Over 12 sessions, learners will strengthen skills in number, money, time, measurement and data handling through real-life work-related scenarios. Activities focus on tasks such as calculating wages, understanding payslips, managing budgets, measuring materials, reading timetables and interpreting basic workplace information. Delivered in a supportive environment, the course builds confidence and independence. By the end of the course, learners will feel more prepared to apply maths skills in employment, training and further accredited study

This course is funded by the Department for Education and only open to residents living in non devolved authorities. Maths for Creative Crafts is a practical Entry Level course that builds confidence in everyday maths through hands-on creative projects. Over 6 sessions, you will develop essential numeracy skills including measuring accurately, calculating quantities and costs, working with shapes, managing a simple budget, and planning time. Each session links a maths skill directly to a craft activity, helping learners see how maths supports planning, design and decision-making. Delivered in a supportive and inclusive environment, the course encourages discussion, practice and step-by-step learning. By the end of the course, learners will feel more confident applying maths in creative work and everyday life.

This course is funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority area. There are many reasons to study this English functional skills course but you might be surprised to know that they’re not academic. Whether you want to feel more confident at public speaking or would like to study an apprenticeship or traineeship, this Level 2 English Functional Skills course can help you achieve your goals in a fun and practical way. Functional skills courses teach you English skills for learning, life, and work- not just to pass an exam. Enjoy the learning process as you watch your vocabulary grow, your spelling improve, and your confidence soar. If you’re fed up with academic courses and want to learn English in a practical and gratifying way, you won’t regret taking this English functional skills level 2 course. 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 Yorkshire Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Yorkshire Combined Authority area. Learn basic communication skills with this ESOL speaking and listening course. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn essential speaking and listening skills to be able to communicate in English. Entry 1 ESOL courses help people who are just starting to learn English. This course will help you gain confidence to speak about basic topics and understand core words. There are also reading and writing courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

This course is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Yorkshire Combined Authority area. Learn basic communication skills with this ESOL speaking and listening course. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn essential speaking and listening skills to be able to communicate in English. Entry 1 ESOL courses help people who are just starting to learn English. This course will help you gain confidence to speak about basic topics and understand core words. There are also reading and writing courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place.

This course is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and only available to residents living within the West Yorkshire Combined Authority area. Develop foundational reading skills with this entry 1 English course for beginners. This English course is for speakers of other languages. It will help you learn basic English to study, work, and live in the UK. This ESOL reading course helps people who are just starting to learn English. It will help you gain confidence reading short texts and common words in English. There are also writing and speaking & listening courses at this level. If you’re helping others access ESOL classes in the UK, you’ve come to the right place. What we’ll cover: - Learn to identify common English words in everyday situations. - Understand signs, symbols and texts you will come across. - Read information about timetables, prices, and schedules. - Understand the purpose of different texts, including adverts, posters, and news articles. - Understand how punctuation is used to help you read more easily.