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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Step into Care

The "Step Into Care" level 1 study program is designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills for individuals pursuing a career in the care sector. Covering essential topics such as working in care, mental health awareness, stress awareness, infection prevention and control, and CV and interview preparation, this comprehensive program equips learners with the tools needed to succeed in social care roles. Ideal for beginners, this program fosters both personal and professional development in a supportive learning environment. This course is in partnership with the DWP and upon successful completion of the course you will be invited to an interview for a potential job role within care.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Thu 05/12/2024
Location:
Hull CVS
The Strand
75 Beverley Road
Hull
HU3 1XL
Course code:
P00000099
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs. There will be once face to face session on 13th February at at venue TBC. This course is for Greater Peterborough and Cambridgeshire only. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00010877
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

Navigating Digital Information Multiply

Improve your digital literacy with our Navigating Digital Information Multiply course. Learn how to find, evaluate, and use digital information effectively. Ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their digital skills for personal and professional use. This course, funded through Multiply in Portsmouth, is designed to empower individuals with essential everyday life skills. Learners will engage in practical sessions that cover a range of topics including budgeting, art, digital literacy, and effective communication. The course emphasises hands-on learning and real-world applications to enhance independence and confidence. Whether you’re looking to improve your financial management, learn new skills, navigate technology, or boost your interpersonal skills, this course provides the tools and support to thrive in daily life.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00017145
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Professional Development: SWAP Introduction to Customer Service with AVIVA

Prepare for a career in customer service with our SWAP Introduction to Customer Service with AVIVA course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to excel in customer service roles. Ideal for individuals seeking to enter the customer service industry or enhance their customer service skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Fri 08/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss (Norwich)
1st Floor
Cavell House
Stannard Place
Norwich
NR3 1YE
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018631
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

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:
£15

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Level 2)

When you’re studying maths at school, it’s sometimes hard to see how you’ll use the skills in real life. All it takes is for someone to explain that ratios help you compare the prices of different products, percentages are used to split bills, and multiplication and division help you set a monthly budget. When you learn in context, it’s easy to see how functional maths is. This Functional Skills Maths Level 2 course is designed using real-life examples to help you improve your maths skills. If you find it easier to learn maths with practical examples, this is the course for you. 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:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
38 sessions
Location:
Trinity Church
Church Road, Meole Brace
Shrewsbury
SY3 9HF
Tutor:
Tabitha Allsop
Course code:
Q00019647
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 2)

There are many reasons to study this English functional skills course but you might be surprised to know that they’re not academic. Whether you want to feel more confident at public speaking or would like to study an apprenticeship or traineeship, this Level 2 English Functional Skills course can help you achieve your goals in a fun and practical way. Functional skills courses teach you English skills for learning, life, and work- not just to pass an exam. Enjoy the learning process as you watch your vocabulary grow, your spelling improve, and your confidence soar. If you’re fed up with academic courses and want to learn English in a practical and gratifying way, you won’t regret taking this English functional skills level 2 course. 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:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
38 sessions
Location:
Trinity Church (Shrewsbury)
Church Road, Meole Brace
Shrewsbury
SY3 9HF
Tutor:
Tabitha Allsop
Course code:
Q00019650
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Getting Ready for Functional Skills English

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:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
New Hope Global (Birmingham)
Birchfield Library (2nd floor)
3 Trinity Road
Birmingham
B6 6AH
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00019736
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £117.60

Pre- Entry Maths: Measuring

This 9-hour course provides a foundational understanding of essential maths skills for measuring fabric accurately in garment-making. Designed for beginners, the course covers basic arithmetic, units of measurement, and practical applications in a textile context. Through hands-on activities and real-world examples, learners will gain confidence in measuring lengths, widths, and calculating fabric requirements. Perfect for aspiring tailors and hobbyists, this course ensures participants can make precise measurements, reducing material waste and enhancing the quality of their projects. Join us to develop the skills needed for successful garment creation.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Hill View Community Centre (Nottingham)
Ransom Road
Nottingham
NG3 3LJ
Tutor:
Monazza Aziz
Course code:
Q00016408
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Level 1)

Work towards GCSE-level maths skills with this functional skills level 1 course. Progress your maths skills to help you access work and study opportunities. Functional maths improves your numeracy skills through real-life situations. Learn maths in context. Develop practical maths skills to help you in everyday situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This level 1 functional skills maths course can help you get a GCSE-equivalent qualification in maths. You’ll learn practical 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:
Mon 04/11/2024 -
Mon 25/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Maria Pawlykiwsky
Course code:
Q00017161
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Paediatric First Aid

Do you help out at a school or youth centre? If you volunteer in a setting with children, it’s important to have an understanding of basic paediatric first aid. This paediatric first aid course gives you an introduction to the essential life-saving skills that can make all the difference in an emergency situation. This course is ideal for you if you work informally with children, toddlers, or babies. It is useful in a variety of settings, including sports halls, community hubs, and youth centres. It is also perfect for new parents who want to understand basic first aid to look after their children.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/11/2024 -
Tue 19/11/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Tutor:
Mariam Sidat
Course code:
Q00017254
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20