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*.    

Skip to courses

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.

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 3)

Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations. Functional Skills entry 3 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. 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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Tue 04/03/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Norton Hall Children & Family Centre (Bi
Norton Hall Women & Childrens
Ralph Road
Birmingham
B8 1NA
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00017339
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Multiply: Get Ready for Functional Skills Exams

This course will help you progress to a Functional Skills Maths qualification. This course helps you learn the necessary maths skills to bridge the gap between entry level and Level 1 and Level 2 functional maths. Gain numeracy skills for learning, life, and work. This Multiply course helps you learn Maths as an adult. These preparatory courses give you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need. This is an adult maths course for people who are looking to progress to Level 1 or Level 2 functional skills courses. It is not accredited.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Mon 03/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00012313
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Safeguarding Adults

Vulnerable people are at higher risk of neglect and abuse. Training in safeguarding teaches you how to spot signs that someone may be at harm. It also helps you know what steps to take in case of reported or suspected abuse. This short safeguarding course gives you a view into safeguarding practices and the importance of protecting adults’ rights to live in safety.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00018569
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Tue 14/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Sahara In Preston (Preston)
48 Fishwick Parade
Preston
PR1 4XQ
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00016195
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Entry 3)

Take your maths skills to the next level to help you with work or study opportunities. Adult maths teaches you practical numeracy skills for everyday life. This entry 3 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Functional skills maths courses aren’t like studying maths at school. You’ll learn maths in context. Develop maths skills to face real-life situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This entry 3 functional maths course is right for you if you want to enhance your maths skills to work or study. It can help you learn essential 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:
Wed 04/12/2024 -
Wed 07/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00018945
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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 04/12/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
12:45pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
3 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 £25.20

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 3)

Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. Strengthen your writing skills and learn reading techniques to help you tackle everyday situations at work or while studying. This adult English course helps you develop your language skills through real-life situations. Functional Skills entry 3 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. 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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 04/12/2024 -
Fri 07/03/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Norton Hall Children & Family Centre (Bi
Norton Hall Women & Childrens
Ralph Road
Birmingham
B8 1NA
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00019936
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
8 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 05/12/2024 -
Fri 14/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
St Johns Centre (Manchester)
St Johns Road
Old Trafford
Manchester
M16 7GX
Tutor:
Linda Bennett
Course code:
Q00016109
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

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 West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 05/12/2024 -
Fri 17/01/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Edmund House
12-22 Newhall road
Birmingham
B3 3PJ
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019706
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Get Ready for Community Interpreting - Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Community Interpreters work within public services (e.g. NHS, schools, doctors’ surgeries, etc.) to help people who may be vulnerable in their community, and do not speak English. Without interpreters, many people would miss out on the help they are entitled to. Community Interpreters play a vital role in their local communities face-to-face and can also work over the telephone or online.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/12/2024 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Mariann Meszaros
Course code:
Q00018324
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80