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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GMCA Care Certificate and Interview Success (Step into Care)

This online pre-employment programme is designed to prepare and support you for a career in Adult Social Care. Following the new adult social care pathway, you’ll gain knowledge about the expected behaviours in the role, the rights of the people you will care for (and your own), and the key skills needed to support individuals. You’ll learn about Dementia, Mental Health, Autism, and Learning Disabilities. Together, we’ll complete the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training and learn how to reduce distress through person-centred practice and Positive Behaviour Support. Over the five weeks, you’ll also work on improving your job application and interview skills, and you’ll be supported to provide a current CV to employers. After completing the course with WEA, our employee engagement officer will arrange a working interview in a social care setting, giving you the chance to experience the working environment firsthand.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
39 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00015990
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Award in Mental Health Awareness Level 1

If you’re interested in learning more about mental health issues, this level 1 course can teach you the foundational concepts. You’ll get a view into the nature of mental health work and the issues that face people struggling with it. Level 1 health and social care courses about mental health can teach you the basic principles of mental health care. If you enjoy this course you can continue your learning in this area. Mental health awareness training can help you understand if this area of work interests you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Wed 20/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00016011
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Get Ready for Functional Skills English Level 1

Are you starting your journey with Functional Skills English at WEA Bristol? Then this course could be right for you. This course is for learners preparing to enrol on an accredited Functional Skills Writing Level 1 course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Thu 16/01/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Thu-Hang Nguyen
Course code:
Q00009289
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

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:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Mon 21/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00018636
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

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:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Karl Telfer-Banner
Course code:
Q00016111
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Pre-Entry Maths: Basic Maths for Everyday Life

This short beginner's course is designed to help you to start developing your basic maths skills and applying them to real-life situations. You will explore various methods of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, learning techniques that can simplify your daily tasks. Whether budgeting, shopping, or cooking, you will gain the skills to handle numbers confidently. Through interactive exercises and practical examples, you will discover how fundamental maths relates to everyday life, improving your problem-solving abilities and numerical fluency. Join us to build a solid foundation in maths and make everyday calculations easy!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Thu 21/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Bakersfield Community Centre (Nottingham
312 Sneinton Dale
Nottingham
NG3 7DN
Tutor:
Maria Tawfik Bitrana
Course code:
Q00019203
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

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:
Mon 18/11/2024 -
Mon 21/04/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018592
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Level 1)

Work towards GCSE-level maths skills with this functional skills level 1 course. Progress your maths skills to help you access work and study opportunities. Functional maths improves your numeracy skills through real-life situations. Learn maths in context. Develop practical maths skills to help you in everyday situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This level 1 functional skills maths course can help you get a GCSE-equivalent qualification in maths. You’ll learn practical 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 19/11/2024 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
9:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
23 sessions
Location:
Woodpecker Hall Academy (London)
North Star Community Trust
Cuckoo Hall Lane
London
N9 8DR
Tutor:
Alex Carro
Course code:
Q00017471
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Get Ready for Functional Skills English Level 1

This course will help you to practice your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English. It will help you get ready to move onto a Level 1 accredited course in the future

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 19/11/2024 -
Tue 18/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gabriella Russo
Course code:
Q00011485
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

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 19/11/2024 -
Tue 10/12/2024
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