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. 

Skip to courses

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.

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

Personal Development: Future Goals

Do you want to delve into the world of fashion and explore how a garment is developed from initial design through to the finished product by drafting a skirt pattern to your own personal body measurements and developing your sewing skills to create a finished skirt. / If fabrics, sewing machines and the passion to make beautiful clothes that fit plus an insight into garment manufacturing is your thing, then come and join us and explore the world of sewing and pattern cutting.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 07/05/2025 -
Wed 11/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Jayne Evans
Course code:
Q00015679
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

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 12/05/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
C00000007
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Personal Development: Mind at Work

This course is put on in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and Job Centre Plus. Are you unemployed and looking for work but experiencing mental health issues? These might include, but not be limited to, stress, anxiety, depression, panic attacks or post traumatic stress. This free support programme will help you to cope better with these challenges and discover techniques and strategies to use in every day life. There is an information and registration day on Monday, 15 April 10am-12pm. Please bring photo ID. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 12/05/2025 -
Mon 14/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Jayne Evans
Course code:
Q00015678
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

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 12/05/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
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:
Karen Johnson
Course code:
Q00017096
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

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: Digital Skills Improvers Plus

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 12/05/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Hull Central Library
Albion Street
Hull
Yorkshire and Humber
HU1 3TF
Tutor:
Karl Telfer-Banner
Course code:
Q00018145
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Personal Development: Introduction to Gel Nails & Nail Art

Welcome to "Introduction to Gel Nails & Nail Art," a comprehensive beginner-level course designed to equip you with the fundamental skills and knowledge to master the art of gel nails and creative nail designs. Whether you aspire to become a professional nail technician or want to explore nail art as a hobby, this course offers a step-by-step guide to the essential techniques, tools, and trends in the industry.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 15/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Cortonwood Comeback Centre (Barnsley)
Old Chapel
Chapel Avenue, Brampton
Barnsley
S73 0XQ
Tutor:
Karen Hunter
Course code:
Q00018280
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Citizenship, confidence and living in the UK

This course will provide students with a grounding in British values and living in the UK, learners will look at the cultures and identities present in the UK and apply them to our community by exploring our commanalities and differences. students will be encouraged to practice English language skills in a variety of everyday contexts in order to help them to be ready to become more positively involved in their communities. This course is targeted at a beginners level. It is for a targeted closed group of asylum seeker men who are residing in a hotel in Doncaster.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/06/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Carrie Hanson
Course code:
Q00015501
How you'll learn:
In venue
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:
Thu 05/06/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Location:
Hull Central Library
Albion Street
Hull
Yorkshire and Humber
HU1 3TF
Course code:
C00000009
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Professional Development: CV writing

On this course, you will learn about the key elements of a CV and follow this structure to build your own. You will be guided through a step-by-step process allowing you to build your CV as the course progresses. You will learn about the type of personal information you should include, how to construct your previous education and work experience, as well as how to write an effective personal statement. You will use your existing English to communicate with others on the course but you will continue to develop your wider English skills and learn new vocabulary connected to CV writing. /You will need to be working at ESOL Level 1 to join this course. If you are a new WEA learner we will ask you to do a short initial assessment to check your ESOL Level. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/06/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00017326
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Professional Development: Baking and cake decorating for enterprise

The course is designed to provide a step-by-step guide for learners in the field of cakes and bakes. It will give an insight to methods from baking new trends, decorating cakes with buttercream and fondant, to being independent to cater for personal and professional aspirations. The course takes place in a women only centre in Bradford and is suitable for beginners and improvers. Some prior experience of baking is useful.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/06/2025 -
Tue 22/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Millan Centre (Bradford)
Victor Street
Bradford
BD9 4RA
Tutor:
Tanzeela Javid
Course code:
Q00016542
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00