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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Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

Develop skills to help you read, write, and communicate in English with confidence. Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. Level 1 functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations. Functional Skills level 1 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. 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 Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/09/2024 -
Wed 20/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
20 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sophie Fowkes
Course code:
Q00015514
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee:
Free

Professional Development: Employability Skills 101

This course is specifically for those attending COAST. Come to this friendly course to build your confidence and professional attitude to land that perfect job. For adults with LLDD. Through a range of activities, you will learn how to build an appealing CV and how to communicate during an interview.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/09/2024 -
Mon 21/10/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00010154
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £63.00

Beginners Wordpress

Building a website is easier than you think with WordPress. If you’d like to have a space online to share your thoughts, work, or creations, this beginner’s WordPress course can prepare you to launch your site in a matter of weeks. Whether you’re a small business owner, vendor, blogger, or just enthusiastic about a subject, you can benefit from having visibility online. This WordPress training takes you through the process of creating your website step by step. This WordPress course is aimed at beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you! WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS) which allows you to easily build great looking websites. CMS training courses teach you essential skills to set up and maintain a website.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 15/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Indrel Doney
Course code:
Q00017644
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

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 17/09/2024 -
Tue 29/10/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Wesley Hall Community Centre (Leicester)
76 Hartington Road
Leicester
LE2 0GN
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00017232
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

Entry Level Digital Skills: 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:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 12/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust, West Bromwich
Shaw trust West Bromwich Hub
Greets Green Access Centre
Tildasley Street
West Bromwich
B70 9SJ
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015692
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Entry Level Essential Digital Skills: Beginners

Beginner’s Digital Skills course for adults. Learn basic computer skills and get digitally fit for modern life. Learning for life and work. 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. Digital courses online offer you learning for life and work. You’ll learn digital skills to help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 12/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015695
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Confidence to Learn: Using Canvas to Learn

Would you like to learn new skills or change jobs? It can be hard to get back into learning after a long break. This confidence training will prepare you to feel comfortable stepping back into the classroom. This short course can help you bridge the gaps in your confidence and overcome the obstacles standing in your way to get back into learning. The objective of this course is to get you into a positive mindset to achieve your goals. You will practise a variety of confidence-building exercises to help that mindset shift come from within. Learn skills to help you succeed in online and face-to-face teaching settings. Regain forgotten study habits. Pick up techniques to help you organise and enjoy your learning process. Understand where you feel most and least sure of yourself and do confidence-building exercises to get the most out of your studies. Confidence-building courses help you improve your self-esteem and overcome obstacles that hold you back. By the end of this course, you will feel confident to go after your learning objectives.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
25 sessions
Location:
Community House (London)
311 Fore Street
London
N9 0PZ
Tutor:
Soad Halawa
Course code:
Q00017633
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Information and study skills for level 2

This course is essential for learners who are learning via online and using the Canvas as a virtual learning environment. The course will cover essential skills such as how to log onto the canvas, how to to upload assignments on the canvas, send emails using the canvas inbox and use zoom. This training equips you with essential skills on how to learn effectively using the canvas and zoom applications. By the end of the course, you'll be both confident and proficient in using the features on both the canvas and zoom to successfully complete your learning online. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00015649
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £111.00

Introduction to Early Years Settings

This introductory course is for anyone who wants to develop a basic knowledge of working with children up to the age of 5 in early years’ settings such as nurseries or pre-schools. You will understand the importance of communication and will gain confidence in applying skills and techniques that will engage children in their personal development. You will study activities that can stimulate children's growth and learning development in their early years. You will increase your confidence in caring for children in early years’ settings. To progress on to an accredited Early Years’ Course at the WEA, or other courses.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/09/2024 -
Tue 08/10/2024
Location:
Woodpecker Hall Academy (London)
North Star Community Trust
Cuckoo Hall Lane
London
N9 8DR
Course code:
Q00011946
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Support Work in Schools (Level 1)

Begin your journey towards a rewarding career in education with our Support Work in Schools (Level 1) 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 17/09/2024 -
Tue 08/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tracey Cohen
Course code:
Q00018526
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40