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: Introduction to Counselling

The awareness of the importance of counselling for the wellbeing of individuals is increasingly recognised as a key issue for the overall health and prosperity of our society. This course will support learners to explore the basics of counselling, the nature of the profession and how skills in counselling can support positive interactions in the workplace. This course focuses on an understanding of the concept and practice of the main practical counselling skills and the theories underpinning these. The course is aimed at anyone who may be considering either a career or further learning in counselling, as well as those wanting to develop valuable helping and listening skills and self-awareness.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 23/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sasha Dineen
Course code:
Q00018764
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Introduction to Early Years Practitioner

This "Introduction to the Early Years Practitioner" course is designed for beginners seeking foundational knowledge in early childhood education and care. You will learn essential safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of children in Early Years settings. The course covers the development of babies and young children from birth to 7 years, with a focus on the crucial 0-5 years. Key topics include health and safety, safeguarding, special educational needs, and the promotion of play. A separate digital session is also arranged to get familiar with our Virtual Learning Platform, Canvas. Upon successful completion, you can progress to a Level 2 Qualification in Early Years Practitioner with WEA.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/09/2024 -
Wed 23/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Riverside Community Centre (Gravesend)
Dickens Road
Gravesend
DA12 2JY
Tutor:
Sharon Reay
Course code:
Q00018793
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £105.00

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

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sophie Fowkes
Course code:
Q00015516
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£300.00

Intermediate Digital Skills

Get digitally fit for modern life and gain confidence in facing situations that require digital skills. Build on your basic computer skills in this Improvers course and see how digital training can help to transform your life. This intermediate Digital Skills course is for anyone wanting to improve their computer skills. Digital training teaches you skills for learning, life, and work. Improving your digital skills can help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 14/11/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust Dudley
Provision House
Dudley
Midlands
DY1 1PY
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015693
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

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 Digital Skills: Digital Skills for life & Work

This course is delivered in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council and the Old School, for existing students on the Language@Work programme. Gain confidence in facing situations that require digital skills. Build on your basic computer skills in this introduction course and see how digital training can help to transform your life. This Digital Skills course is for people who want to improve their computer skills. Digital training teaches you skills for learning, life, and work. . Your friendly, positive tutor will guide you and there will be opportunity for practise.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 24/10/2024
Times:
11:15am - 1:15pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015710
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Beginners Blogging

Starting a blog is easier than you think. If you have ideas, tips, or recommendations to share, this short blogging course can teach you the essentials to get your blog online. This beginner’s blogging course covers essential lessons in both writing and setting up your blog. You’ll learn creative writing techniques to make your blogs engaging, and digital skills to make sure you can set up and maintain your site. This course is aimed at beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 19/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Karen Duncan
Course code:
Q00010699
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Beginners Social Media Marketing

Social media is one of the biggest marketing channels today. Whether you’re a small business owner, charity worker, community service operator, or local performer, having a presence online can help you get in front of your target audience. Social media courses give you essential digital training to be able to set up and run social media accounts. They also help you learn to market yourself online. This social media marketing course is aimed at beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you! We will cover five main platforms: LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Understand how these channels work and learn to set up your profile. Understand how to define your target audience and create content that they want to see. Learn how to schedule posts and plan a content calendar.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 19/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Karen Duncan
Course code:
Q00010702
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

Certificate in Introducing Caring for Children and Young People Level 2

If you enjoy working with children and young people, this childcare course can help you learn employability skills to work in this area. Get skills for your CV and gain confidence providing care for children in various settings. This course covers a range of childcare situations. You can study childcare and education, babysitting, or parenting responsibilities. It can help you decide if a career in child care is right for you. This is the ideal course for you if you want to turn a babysitting side job into a career. It’s also helpful for new parents getting to grips with parenting.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
25 sessions
Location:
Brinsworth Manor Junior School (Rotherha
Brinsworth Lane
Brinsworth
Rotherham
S60 5BX
Tutor:
Julie Berg
Course code:
Q00017903
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Information and study skills for level 3

This course is essential for learners who are learning via online and using the Canvas as a virtual learning environment. The course will cover essential skills such as how to log onto the canvas, how to to upload assignments on the canvas, send emails using the canvas inbox and use zoom. This training equips you with essential skills on how to learn effectively using the canvas and zoom applications. By the end of the course, you'll be both confident and proficient in using the features on both the canvas and zoom to successfully complete your learning online. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 24/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00015650
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £111.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Introduction to working as a teaching assistant

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:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Fri 25/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Daubeney Children's Centre/ Primary Scho
103 Daubeney Road
Hackney
London
E5 0EG
Tutor:
Allison McClean
Course code:
Q00018617
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40