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: Step into apprenticeships

This course will help you to understand the opportunities available to you through apprenticeships. Ever wondered how apprenticeships work and who they are for? Thought you were too old to start an apprenticeship? This course will develop your knowledge and awareness of the variety of apprenticeships available to you. Discover how to learn while competing on the job training in a specific role and how an apprenticeship can benefit your personal development. This course may lead to further training, higher education and employment. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 18/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00015544
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Entry 2)

Build up your basic maths skills to help you progress towards work and study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical skills for everyday life. This entry 2 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Understand maths through real-life situations. Functional skills maths entry 2 courses expand your understanding of basic calculations. This can help you learn to manage your personal budget and do other daily tasks. This entry 2 functional maths course is right for you if you want to build on your basic maths skills to work or study. It can help you show employers that you have the essential skills they 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Zaynab Al Hakeem
Course code:
Q00016168
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Zaynab Al Hakeem
Course code:
Q00016169
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Intermediate Part 1

Use Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Word to create letters, posters, and tables. Learn to use Outlook to email files as attachments and Canvas to upload your work. By the end, you'll be prepared for further online learning and gain skills that enhance your employability. Designed to equip you with practical digital skills, making you more efficient and proficient in using essential office software. Provides valuable tools for success in the digital age for personal development or career advancement. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Participants must live in Coventry Area Postcodes CV1 to CV6 inclusive.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Foleshill Women's Training (Coventry)
70-72 Elmsdale Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry
CV6 6ES
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015615
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

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

Essential Digital Skills Level 1

Build your confidence using digital skills in your personal life and in the workplace. Understand how digital programmes and services can enhance your everyday life and simplify common tasks. Learn skills employers look for and improve your job prospects. If you’d like to learn digital skills for a better life, this course will teach you everything you need to know. This Level 1 digital skills course is suitable for improvers, as you will build upon your current digital device knowledge. Learn how to use the Microsoft Office programmes: create and edit text documents in Word, create spreadsheets and use number calculations in Excel, and use PowerPoint to create presentations. These are universal digital skills employers look for and can help you in a variety of job roles.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 22/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Breckland Council
Elizabeth House
Walpole Loke
Dereham
Norfolk
NR19 1EE
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018565
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Professional development: Step into construction

This introduction course will develop your understanding of the construction industry and the skills needed to access opportunities. The UK construction industry is renowned for high standards expected from both its workers and its employers. Learn what these expectations are and why these are important to employers. Discover which organisations offer construction opportunities and how to access these. Develop knowledge and awareness of other qualifications you may need to gain work within this sector and how to access these, such as a CSCS Card, Health and Safety within Construction. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lewis Weller
Course code:
Q00015571
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £103.60

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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Millan Centre (Bradford)
Victor Street
Bradford
BD9 4RA
Tutor:
Victoria Bould
Course code:
Q00012663
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Surbhi Khanna
Course code:
Q00019563
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

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:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
9:45am - 2:15pm
Duration:
28 sessions
Location:
The Phoenix Community Centre
Matson Lane
Gloucester
GL4 6DX
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00016162
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Personal Development: Future Goals

This course has been developed in Partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and the DWP. It is aimed at learners who are leaving the care system and might have some additional needs or a disability, with a Supported Care Plan. If you are aged 19 plus and feel this course is for you, talk to your job coach about enrolling. The course will help you to develop your confidence and team working skills and enable you to set some goals for the future, such as the kind of job or career you might like to do. If you need more information, get in touch with Karen on 07881 358679.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Jayne Evans
Course code:
Q00015668
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00