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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Award in Education and Training Level 3

Kickstart your education career with this introductory teaching qualification. Experience the buzz of learning environments and get a view into the profession. Learn essential teaching skills and open doors to further education jobs in this Education and Training course. This course prepares you for teaching jobs working with adults. These can include roles as a tutor, learning assistant, teaching assistant, or trainer in universities, Sixth Form colleges, or other adult learning settings. This Level 3 Award in Teaching and Education is the first step towards a fulfilling career in teaching. If you want to get a teaching qualification, this foundational course can give you a taste of the industry before you move onto higher level qualifications.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 04/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gillian Hunt
Course code:
Q00016040
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Professional Development & Employability Skills

Are you looking to upskill for employment? Then attend this course and boost your employability skills. If you’re entering the workforce for the first time or after a long break, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for and prepare you for the transition. Learn basic skills for jobs in any sector as well as key soft skills for your CV. Feel confident stepping into the workforce. This course will provide you with the soft skills required to get that job and give you the confidence and self-esteem to sell what you have to offer to potential employers.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017263
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £151.20

Certificate in Counselling Skills Level 2

Dive deeper into counselling and sharpen your set of skills for social work. Learn techniques to help those in need of support. Counselling courses teach you fundamental skills employers look for. Understand how to help others in a safe and positive way. The Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills introduces you to using counselling skills in everyday life: for work or within a personal capacity. Develop key skills employers look for in this level 2 counselling course. Team working and communication are key skills for CVs in support work.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Wed 04/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Scott Knowles
Course code:
Q00016901
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

SWAP: Intro to working in schools

Are you interested in working in a support role in schools? This 8 session course covers a range of topics from the core subjects of English, maths and science to how children learn through play. We also consider the importance of positive behaviour in the classroom and look at safeguarding in education. In the final couple of sessions, we focus on how to enhance your CV and the school application and interview process.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Wed 02/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00018005
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

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 Essential Digital Skills: Beginners Digital Skills (E2/E3)SCC

Welcome to the Beginners Digital course for Entry 2/Entry 3 ESOL students! This course helps you build foundational computer and digital skills while improving your English. Learn to use computers, navigate the internet, send emails, and use smartphones and tablets. Gain confidence in typing, basic document creation, and safe internet practices. Easy-to-follow lessons ensure a supportive learning environment.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/09/2024 -
Thu 26/09/2024
Times:
12:15pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017135
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £79.80

Get Ready for Functional Maths (Entry Level 3)

Set yourself up for success with an Entry level 3 functional skills in maths. This get ready course helps you prepare to tackle entry 3 maths with confidence. The essential maths skills you’ll learn will help you get your qualification and serve you in everyday life. Get ready courses help you learn maths at your own pace. The idea of this course is to give you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need for entry level 3 maths. This is a preparatory maths course for people who are looking to progress to entry 3 functional skills courses. It is a non-accredited adult maths course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/09/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Zaynab Al Hakeem
Course code:
Q00017262
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Beginners Part 1

Learn to use digital devices and gain essential digital 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 those who feel somewhat confident with their digital skills or would like to improve them, so don’t worry if this is new to you. Learn to use your phone, your keyboard, calendar, notes, contact list and fill out online forms in this Digital Skills course. Understand how to take and upload pictures and search for information online.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/09/2024 -
Tue 22/10/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Foleshill Women's Training (Coventry)
70-72 Elmsdale Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry
CV6 6ES
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015611
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £73.60

Confidence to Learn: Study Skills

"Are you currently studying? On this Confidence to Learn course, you will develop study skills that will help direct you to a more focused way of studying. If you have not studied for a long time, or worried about how to start an assignment, or manage your time, this is the course for you. You will have the opportunity to personalise your approach to study and learning. Over the course you will find out what works best for you. General study skills are not for a specific subject, they are skills that cover all subject areas. The study skills you will develop at this level will help as you go through each topic on the course. To develop your study skills, you will practise a variety of tasks such as time management, active listening skills, note taking and many more. This will help you become more confident in the way you study. Study skills are not just for this course, they can be used in a variety of ways, for example solving problems in everyday life and managing your time successfully and learning to remain focused on a task. "

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/09/2024 -
Tue 03/12/2024
Times:
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017658
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Personal Development: Getting Ready for Functional Skills English

Set yourself up for success at learning English with this Getting Ready for Functional Skills Entry level English preparation courses. Get an English qualification to help you access a variety of work and study options. Functional skills courses in English teach you to read, write, and communicate confidently in English. Functional skills English isn’t like learning English at school. This is an English course for adults created by adults. Develop practical English skills by learning language in context.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/09/2024 -
Thu 24/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Ladywood Childrens Centre
9 Plough & Harrow Road
Birmingham
B16 8UR
Tutor:
Marlene Clarke-Davis
Course code:
Q00018264
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £117.60

Personal Development: Getting Ready for Functional Skills Maths

Build up your basic maths skills to help you progress towards work and study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical skills for everyday life. This entry level functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Understand maths through real-life situations. Functional skills maths entry courses expand your understanding of basic calculations. This can help you learn to manage your personal budget and do other daily tasks. This entry 2 functional maths course is right for you if you want to build on your basic maths skills to work or study. It can help you show employers that you have the essential skills they 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 10/09/2024 -
Thu 24/10/2024
Times:
12:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Ladywood Childrens Centre
9 Plough & Harrow Road
Birmingham
B16 8UR
Tutor:
Marlene Clarke-Davis
Course code:
Q00018265
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £117.60