Supporting when looking for work 

Personal development can mean a lot of different things. Our courses can help you develop the skills and confidence you need to make the most of your potential. Our adult education classes can also help you grow in your current job and help you reach your goals. 

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Looking for work? Start here

If you are looking for work and want to get started, we have short courses to help you find work. We run free course * on CV writing, job hunting and interviews. We’re here to help you reach your potential. From starting to explore your options to learning how to successfully apply for jobs. Our personal development courses help you take positive steps towards your dream job.

Stand out from the crowd

To stand out in the crowd and improve your employability, our tutors offer friendly support to meet your needs. You can talk to your tutor about your goals and identify the steps you need to take to get into the job you want.  Whether an online course or in person, our tutors are here to ensure you succeed. 

Already in work?

If you’re already in work and want to gain new skills and confidence or improve your wellbeing at work, our courses can help. Our adult education skills courses help you clarify your goals and find a clear path to reaching your potential.

*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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Personal Development: Gaining Confidence to Sign

This exciting learning opportunity is intended to help the participants to gain knowledge and confidence in using BSL. The intention is learning for further education, community engagement and possibly employment. The skills learnt on this course may help someone looking to secure employment in a school/college setting to learn some basic greetings to enable them to communicate at a basic level with someone in the deaf community. This course will be taught for 7 weeks in 2 hour sessions and will total 14 guided learning hours. The learning will take place over Zoom using Canvas as a Virtual Learning Environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/09/2024 -
Mon 21/10/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Cleghorn
Course code:
Q00018084
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

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 09/09/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017263
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £151.20

Confidence to Learn: Study Skills

"Are you currently studying? On this Confidence to Learn course, you will develop study skills that will help direct you to a more focused way of studying. If you have not studied for a long time, or worried about how to start an assignment, or manage your time, this is the course for you. You will have the opportunity to personalise your approach to study and learning. Over the course you will find out what works best for you. General study skills are not for a specific subject, they are skills that cover all subject areas. The study skills you will develop at this level will help as you go through each topic on the course. To develop your study skills, you will practise a variety of tasks such as time management, active listening skills, note taking and many more. This will help you become more confident in the way you study. Study skills are not just for this course, they can be used in a variety of ways, for example solving problems in everyday life and managing your time successfully and learning to remain focused on a task. "

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/09/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017658
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Step into Work

"Step Into Work" is a comprehensive program designed to equip you with the essential skills needed for job hunting. This course covers writing effective cover letters, creating standout CVs, and mastering interview techniques. Through practical workshops and expert guidance, you'll learn how to present yourself confidently to potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job you desire. This course will help you examine your current skills and qualities and how they transfer to job related tasks. You’ll need access to the internet to take this ‘Step into Work’ program as our tutors use the WEA’s digital learning portal, Canvas, to send you important information and tasks.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/09/2024 -
Thu 26/09/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
P00000098
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available

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

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 16/09/2024 -
Thu 19/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Bournemouth
G.01 & Meeting room 1a
Oxford Point
19 Oxford Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8GS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017093
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Professional Development: Digital Skills For Beginners

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:
Mon 16/09/2024 -
Mon 11/11/2024
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Hull Central Library
Albion Street
Hull
Yorkshire and Humber
HU1 3TF
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018142
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Personal Development: Beginners Language at Work

This course is put on in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and the DWP. It is suitable with learners who wish to improve their English to get ready to apply for a job, who are unemployed and looking for work and who also have English as a second language. Learners with English as a second language, who are looking for work and receiving benefits and aged 19 plus are eligible. If you are in receipt of work related benefits, speak to your work coach at the Job Centre and mention JCP Wolverhampton Hub. Subject to eligibility, travel expenses can be paid. For further information call 07881 358679. There is an information and registration day planned and your advisor will let you know. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015658
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £136.50

Personal Development: Intermediate Language at Work

The course has been developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council which refers learners to this and other programmes hosted at the Old School, which is a community centre run by Blakenhall Action Community Forum. This course is particularly suitable for students who are unemployed and are looking for work, who may have been referred by Job Centres to improve their spoken and written English and thereby pick up the skills and confidence to get themselves closer to the job market.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
12:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015659
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £109.20

Confidence to Learn: Using Canvas to Learn

Are you considering learning new skills or changing careers? Transitioning back into education after a break can be challenging. This course aims to equip you with the confidence needed to re-enter the classroom environment comfortably. Boost your self-esteem and conquer obstacles preventing you from moving forward with confidence. By the course's end, you will feel empowered to pursue your learning objectives confidently.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 30/04/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
29 sessions
Location:
Community House (London)
311 Fore Street
London
N9 0PZ
Tutor:
Soad Halawa
Course code:
Q00017636
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Personal Development: Advanced Language at Work

This Advanced level course will build on skills gained in the Pre Entry and Intermediate courses that you may have studied previously, or you may be assessed by the tutor as ready for this course straight away. It has been developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council which refers learners to this and to other courses hosed at the Old School based in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. This course is particularly suited to students who are unemployed and have been referred by a Job Centre to improve your spoken and written English and thereby develop the skills to empower you to get that job.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015660
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £109.20