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

Working as a Teaching Assistant - Pathways Taster

If you are thinking about a career in teaching, this taster course is for you. Teaching assistants are an integral part of the classroom. Not only do they provide vital support for pupils, they support the teaching that takes place. This course is ideal if you would like to know more about becoming a teaching assistant. The role varies widely with some specialising in certain areas such as specific learning needs and other disability support.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 09/11/2024 -
Sat 09/11/2024
Times:
9:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
WEA London Office (London)
4 Luke Street
London
EC2A 4HB
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00010518
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

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:
Mon 11/11/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00009469
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Professional Development: Preparation for Support Work in Schools and Colleges

Get a view into the enriching world of teaching and learning. If you’d like to work in a school, with children directly or in an admin role, this course is the perfect first step. Whether you plan to get a teaching qualification or just want a taster into the school environment, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for in school staff. In this course you’ll learn foundational concepts for working in a learning environment. It can help you decide whether a job at a school is right for you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 11/11/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
9:45am - 12:45pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00019185
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Beginner Digital Skills

Develop essential digital skills with our Beginner Digital Skills course. Learn the basics of using computers, navigating the internet, and understanding essential software applications. Ideal for individuals with little or no digital experience looking to build confidence in their digital abilities.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 11/11/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Tam O'Shanter Farm
25 Boundary Road
Prenton
Birkenhead
CH43 7PD
Tutor:
Mark Howarth
Course code:
Q00017530
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Introduction to Helping in Schools

Begin your journey towards a rewarding career in education with our Introduction to Helping in Schools course. Learn the essential skills and knowledge required to support teachers and students in the classroom. Ideal for individuals considering a career in education.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 12/11/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Tutor:
Mariam Sidat
Course code:
Q00017252
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Professional Development: Introduction to being a Teaching Assistant

Begin your journey towards a rewarding career in education with our Introduction to Being a Teaching Assistant course. Learn the essential skills and knowledge required to support teachers and students in the classroom. Ideal for individuals considering a career in education.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 12/11/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
9:45am - 2:45pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Todmorden Learning Centre (Todmorden)
Burnley Road
Todmorden
OL14 7BX
Tutor:
Asia Bhatti
Course code:
Q00018424
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Supporting Autistic Children & Teens

Having a child or loved one receive an autism diagnosis can be worrying and unsettling. It’s difficult to know how best to support autistic children’s needs without external guidance. This autism course can teach you how to offer support to help autistic young people live healthy and fulfilling lives. This taster course is ideal for you if you have regular contact with autistic children or teenagers. It is aimed at parents, family members, community workers, or volunteers who interact closely with autistic kids. It can be useful both if you are going through diagnosis, and also if you feel you need extra resources to help support a developing autistic child.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 13/11/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017617
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

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:
Wed 13/11/2024 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
The Media Centre Huddersfield
Creative Media Centres Ltd
7 Northumberland St
Huddersfield
HD1 1RL
Tutor:
Dorota Rezulska
Course code:
Q00018423
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Heath and Social Care: Introduction to SEND for support workers

Gain essential knowledge for supporting students with special educational needs with our Introduction to SEND for Support Workers course. Learn about common SEND conditions and effective support strategies. Ideal for individuals working in or aspiring to work in educational support roles.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 14/11/2024 -
Thu 14/11/2024
Location:
Camborne Community Centre (Camborne)
South Terrace
Camborne
TR14 8SU
Course code:
Q00018079
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£25.20

Pre-Entry English: Get ready for English functional skills entry level 2

This introductory course is designed for learners aiming to build foundational English skills at Entry Level 2. You'll develop key abilities in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, tailored to everyday contexts. Through practical exercises and interactive lessons, you’ll learn to understand simple texts, write basic sentences and short paragraphs, and communicate effectively in familiar situations. Ideal for those looking to improve their basic English for personal use, further education, or employment, this course provides the essential tools to advance your proficiency and prepare for Functional Skills English assessments. Start your journey to better English today!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 14/11/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Reed
Course code:
Q00016632
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80