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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Personal Development: Confidence Building for Life and Studying

Unleash your confidence. This unique 4-week course goes beyond typical confidence-building programs. We'll delve deeper, helping you understand the science of confidence and how to apply powerful techniques to conquer challenges in various situations.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 02/10/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016558
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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:
Thu 03/10/2024 -
Thu 14/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Aspire
2A Global House
Crofton Close
Lincoln
Midlands
LN3 4NT
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00017397
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

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:
Thu 03/10/2024 -
Thu 14/11/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Lincoln City Foundation
Lincoln City Football Ground
Sincil Bank
Lincoln
LN5 8LD
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00017398
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Personal Development: Introduction to Beauty Therapies (Rotherham)

This Beauty Therapies course is a comprehensive and specialised programme designed to develop your skills and knowledge in the field of beauty therapies. This course is suitable for beginners.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 03/10/2024 -
Thu 19/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Cortonwood Comeback Centre (Barnsley)
Old Chapel
Chapel Avenue, Brampton
Barnsley
S73 0XQ
Tutor:
Karen Hunter
Course code:
Q00012061
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

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:
WEA Membership

Introduction to SEND

The short introductory course is to find out more about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The course will provide an initial understanding of the spectrum of autistic disorders and how they can affect people in a variety of ways, as well as exploring the importance of a person-centred approach to provide support. It’s important to be aware of the range of special needs you can encounter when dealing with others. Special needs education courses can help you understand what to expect and how to support all learning needs.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 04/10/2024 -
Fri 29/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Ann Tayler Children's Centre (Hackney)
1-13 Triangle Road
Off Westgate Street
Hackney
E8 3RP
Tutor:
Tracey Shackle
Course code:
Q00011649
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Award in Stress Awareness Level 1

Stress affects most people in the country at some point in life. Understanding the harmful effects of stress is essential to maintaining good mental health and well-being. This stress awareness course can help you recognise and deal with stress when it happens. This mental health awareness training helps you understand what you and others may be experiencing. It is also useful if you work in a support role such as mentor, counsellor, or carer. It will teach you important skills for care jobs if you want to work in adult social care.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 07/10/2024 -
Wed 09/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00016024
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Introduction to Helping in Schools - Level 1

If you are thinking about a career in teaching, this introductory course is for you. Teaching assistants are an integral part of the classroom. Not only do they provide vital support for pupils, but they also support the teaching that takes place. This course is ideal if you would like to know more about working as a teaching assistant. The role varies widely with some specialising in certain areas of education such as literacy, numeracy, music, specific learning needs and other disability support, English as a second language or behaviour. Teaching assistants can be found in schools for Early Years right through to secondary schools, and the number of TAs in one school can vary widely depending on necessity and amount of funding provided. This course will give you information about working as a teaching assistant (also known as a classroom assistant, a pupil support assistant, a teacher's aide, or abbreviated as a TA) and how you can provide support to teachers by providing teaching and learning support in whatever way possible.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 11/10/2024 -
Fri 29/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Ann Tayler Children's Centre (Hackney)
1-13 Triangle Road
Off Westgate Street
Hackney
E8 3RP
Tutor:
Tracey Shackle
Course code:
Q00011648
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

GMCA Care Certificate and Interview Success (Step into Care)

This is a pre-employment programme delivered online that is designed to support you into work within Adult Social Care. The programme will help you to prepare for work in a care setting. The programme consists of up to three elements: GMCA Care Certificate (where you will cover the theory elements of the Care Certificate), L1 Stress Awareness and L1 Mental Health Awareness (additional accredited courses you can join if suitable). Once you have completed the course with WEA, GM Careers will place you for a working interview in a social care setting. This is designed like a working interview, to give you the opportunity to try out the working environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 28/10/2024 -
Fri 15/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Susan Bell
Course code:
Q00015990
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Using Canvas to Learn

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/11/2024 -
Tue 12/11/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Wesley Hall Community Centre (Leicester)
76 Hartington Road
Leicester
LE2 0GN
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00017219
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/11/2024 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00015525
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00