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 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 22/07/2024 -
Wed 24/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00015373
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Using Canvas to learn: Steps to success course

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 23/07/2024 -
Thu 25/07/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Karren Bennett
Course code:
Q00014797
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Level 2 Teaching assistant taster

Are you thinking about a career in teaching? Then this taster course is for you. Becoming a teaching assistant is the first step in achieving your goals. 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 specializing 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 (Teaching Assistant) in one school can vary widely depending on necessity and amount of funding provided.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 24/07/2024 -
Wed 24/07/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017568
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Paediatric First Aid

The 8-hour paediatric first aid course provides comprehensive training on the essential skills, numeracy and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider. Participants will learn the critical role they play in emergency situations involving infants and children and also how maths plays a role in that. Core topics covered include CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), including both resuscitation techniques and defibrillation procedures tailored for paediatric cases.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 25/07/2024 -
Fri 26/07/2024
Times:
10:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Beaulieu Community Centre
Beaulieu Square
Centenary Way
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 6AU
Tutor:
Zoe Shelley
Course code:
Q00017062
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Helping in schools taster

Would you like to help children gain confidence in their reading as well as English and maths? Then this taster course is for you. This course will give you information about various roles in our schools and parenting pathway. It will give you an insight into the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in administration, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. You will be introduced to a range of strategies used to help children in schools or your own children at home to become more confident in their ability. This course is ideal for anyone looking to progress onto work or volunteering in an education setting. Join us online for this one-day taster course to find out about our helping in school's courses.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 25/07/2024 -
Thu 25/07/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017578
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Introduction to Support Work

This short course will offer you an insight into how to help support someone with their daily life and wellbeing, including people living with physical disabilities and/or mental health issues. As a support worker, you may find yourself working in a variety of settings. The day-to-day job of a support worker will differ depending on the needs of the person, or people they are supporting. The main focus is to help people, whether that is at home, at school or work, enabling them to live more independently, by offering them both physical and emotional support.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 06/08/2024 -
Tue 06/08/2024
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017106
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Emergency First Aid at Work - The Salvation Army Donation Centre in Braintree

The 8 hour Emergency First Aid at Work course consists of practical and theoretical activities. Over two days you will learn the essential skills, including numeracy and responsibilities of a first aider in the workplace. Participants will learn the critical role they play in emergency situations. You will learn the skills and knowledge to provide the organisation with Emergency First Aider's who can provide treatment to casualties in a prompt, safe and effective manner.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/08/2024 -
Wed 14/08/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Salvation Army Donation Centre
1 Anglia Way
Braintree
CM7 3RG
Tutor:
Zoe Shelley
Course code:
Q00017080
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

Get Ready for Functional Maths Entry Level 2

Are you preparing for an Entry Level 2 functional skills course in maths? If so, this course can help to prepare you to study. Set yourself up for success studying adult maths with this preparation course. Get ready courses help you learn maths at your own pace. This course gives you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need for Entry Level 2 maths. This is an introductory maths course for people who are looking to progress to Entry Level 2 functional skills courses. It is a non-accredited adult maths course.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Zaynab Al Hakeem
Course code:
Q00017250
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

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:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
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

This course is available for WEA members only until 10 am on Wednesday 3rd July.

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 09/09/2024 -
Fri 27/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Susan Bell
Course code:
Q00015988
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free