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. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.00am - 3.00pm for 5 weeks. There are 25 sessions in total finishing on 20th Dec.

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

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. This course is funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

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

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

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:
Tue 19/11/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Health Project (Newc
Carnegie Building
Atkinson Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 8XS
Tutor:
Rupa Marwaha
Course code:
Q00018863
How you'll learn:
In venue
Status:
Waiting list (Join waiting list)
Fee range
Free to £12.60

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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
Location:
Woodpecker Hall Academy (London)
North Star Community Trust
Cuckoo Hall Lane
London
N9 8DR
Course code:
Q00017471
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Beginners Part 2

You will learn core skills that boost your confidence, such as emailing files, creating letters, and designing posters. Building on the skills gained in Part 1, this course focuses primarily on Microsoft Word. You will master document formatting, efficient file management, and creative design techniques. By the end of the course, you will be proficient in using Word to produce professional documents, effectively communicate via email, and create visually appealing posters, ensuring you are well-prepared for various digital tasks. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Participants must live in Coventry Area Postcodes CV1 to CV6 inclusive.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 20/11/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Watch Charity Ltd (Coventry)
10-12 Victoria Street
Coventry
CV1 5LZ
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015614
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £73.50

Beginners Excel and Spreadsheets

Did you know you can use spreadsheets to make hundreds of everyday tasks easier? You can use them to efficiently keep track of job applications, birthday lists, inventories of collectible items, or anything else. Never opened a spreadsheet in your life? Don’t worry. This is an Excel course for beginners, and we’ll cover all the basics. This beginner’s Excel course aims to teach you computer skills for everyday life.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 20/11/2024 -
Wed 04/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00012734
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Level 2)

When you’re studying maths at school, it’s sometimes hard to see how you’ll use the skills in real life. All it takes is for someone to explain that ratios help you compare the prices of different products, percentages are used to split bills, and multiplication and division help you set a monthly budget. When you learn in context, it’s easy to see how functional maths is. This Functional Skills Maths Level 2 course is designed using real-life examples to help you improve your maths skills. If you find it easier to learn maths with practical examples, this is the course for you. 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:
Wed 20/11/2024 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
1:30pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
44 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00010757
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £222.00

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. This course is funded by the Education Skills and Funding Agency.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 20/11/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
12:45pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Littlehampton Jobcentre (Littlehampton)
33 Church Street
Littlehampton
BN17 5ER
Tutor:
Gabriella Russo
Course code:
Q00019763
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Award in Digital Promotion for Business (OG) Level 2

Get to the core of how to build or promote a business with this digital marketing course. Digital promotion activities such as online and social media marketing can help you support your company’s growth or build your own business. Get first-hand knowledge of key business activities that promote growth. Gain a clear understanding of digital marketing practices with this digital skills course. It’s ideal for flexible learning as you can choose topics that interest you from a variety of units. Pick up crucial skills for employment that can help you in any sector and build skills for your CV.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 21/11/2024 -
Thu 08/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
20 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Karen Duncan
Course code:
Q00017632
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00