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

Employability & Skills: TBC

Attend our Employability course and boost your skills for work. 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. Learning will take place in a relaxed environment with other like-minded learners, led by our expert tutor.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00016667
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Personal Development: Introduction to Counselling

Explore the fundamentals of counselling with our Introduction to Counselling course. Learn essential skills and techniques used in the counselling profession. Ideal for individuals considering a career in counselling or looking to enhance their interpersonal skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sasha Dineen
Course code:
Q00019017
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Get ready for work

Prepare for the job market with our Get Ready for Work course. Develop essential skills and knowledge needed for job applications, interviews, and workplace success. Ideal for individuals seeking to enter the job market.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 24/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Norwich Central Baptist Church (Norwich)
Duke Street
Norwich
NR3 3AP
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018985
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

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 4-9 or A*-C. We'll check your level and any previous qualifications before you start. This ensures you are on the correct course.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/01/2025 -
Fri 06/06/2025
Location:
The Manchester Deaf Centre (MANCHESTER)
Crawford House
Booth Street East
MANCHESTER
M13 9GH
Course code:
Q00015941
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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

Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Level 2

If you enjoy the buzz of learning environments, this qualification can teach you key skills for employment in a school or college. This government-funded course prepares you for a variety of roles. It provides the basic skills and knowledge necessary to work in admin, technical, or support roles in a learning environment. Studying support work in schools at Level 2 can be a first step towards working with kids in teaching positions. It also provides you with the qualifications needed to work in admin at schools. No matter what role you’re interested in, this course can teach you skills for employability in schools and colleges.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
45 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00010847
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £333.00

Professional Development: Preparing to work in the UK beginners

Working in the UK aims to improve your communication skills on preparing to work in the UK and will include health, shopping, and most importantly employability. This course will help students understand the culture of work in the UK. It will also help you get the skills needed for work in the UK. The course is for speakers of other languages, and it is highly recommended to complete this course before progressing on to ESOL courses. As it will build your confidence and broaden your vocabulary. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Ladywood Childrens Centre
9 Plough & Harrow Road
Birmingham
B16 8UR
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015553
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Textiles and Fashion: Textiles for Self Employment

Welcome to the Textiles for Self-Employment Course! This course is for those who want to start a business in textiles and sewing. You will learn how to create and sell your own textile products. We will teach you about choosing fabrics, designing items, and advanced sewing techniques. You will also learn about pricing, marketing, and selling your products. Our experienced tutor will guide you through each step. By the end of the course, you will have the skills and knowledge to start your own textiles business and become self-employed. Join us and turn your passion into a career!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 03/02/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Tracey Sweetman
Course code:
Q00017058
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.20

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00015758
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

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 13/01/2025 -
Tue 21/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Paula Hellal
Course code:
Q00016025
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

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 13/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Susan Bell
Course code:
Q00015992
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free