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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Beginners Microsoft Word & PowerPoint

What would improved digital skills mean for your career or everyday life? No matter what your job role is, the chances are your day-to-day life would be easier with enhanced computer skills. This beginner’s Microsoft Word and PowerPoint course will help you learn the basics of Word and PowerPoint. This knowledge can help you in a wide variety of routine situations. These can include creating CVs, helping your kids with their homework, or preparing presentations for family events. You will learn how to Enter and Edit text in a document, save and print your work, format and align text, add images, create a poster and customise Templates in Word. Create Striking Presentations with images, and designs. Run slide shows and produce audience notes.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/09/2024 -
Mon 14/10/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00009572
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Beginners Excel and Spreadsheets

Did you know you can use spreadsheets to make hundreds of everyday tasks easier? You can use them to efficiently keep track of job applications, birthday lists, inventories of collectible items, or anything else. Never opened a spreadsheet in your life? Don’t worry. This is an Excel course for beginners, and we’ll cover all the basics. This beginner’s Excel course aims to teach you computer skills for everyday life. You will learn how to navigate spreadsheet cells, format data, add currency and change decimal places. Save and Print a worksheet. Add borders and colour to text and cells. Use basic formulas and create charts from selected data.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/09/2024 -
Mon 21/10/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00009575
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £51.80

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry Level 2)

Continue developing English skills to help you in work and everyday life situations. This functional skills English Entry Level 2 course teaches you skills for reading, writing, and communicating in English. Learn how to improve your writing skills and build on the basic reading skills from Entry Level 1. Adult English courses teach you practical communication skills to help you get a job or study. Develop your English skills through real-life situations. This course teaches you tools and resources to improve your use of English in new and familiar situations. These skills can help you succeed in your studies, professional situations, and social interactions. This 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/09/2024 -
Fri 13/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
30 sessions
Location:
WEA Regional Office Training Room (Liv)
Suite 414, Fourth Floor
Cotton Exchange Building
Bixteth Street
Liverpool
L3 9JR
Tutor:
Isabel Jordan
Course code:
Q00016873
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Introduction to Volunteering

This course will help you to develop the skills you need to become a volunteer. Volunteering contributes to society and can also help you stand out to new employers. Showing volunteer work on your CV shows employers that you can work in a team and have compassion. Volunteer skills can also be helpful in your career development. Volunteer skills are the abilities you have to help other people effectively to support a specific cause. The best volunteers have a strong work ethic and work well with others. Volunteers typically work for free, so they need to self-motivate and remain focused on their volunteering projects or tasks. You can use many of these skills for volunteering in your workplace.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 03/09/2024 -
Tue 08/10/2024
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00017498
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £210.00

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

Preparation for Level 2 Caring for Children and Young People

Have you completed an introductory or a Level 1 helping in schools’ course? Then this introductory course is right for you. It will provide you with the necessary knowledge and study skills needed to prepare you for a Level 2 course. It will also provide you with the opportunity to practice using study skills such as quizzes, case studies and related texts. You will get the chance to discuss new topics with other learners and, ask and answer questions. You will also be given a brief outline of what you will learn on your course. Your tutor will give you constructive feedback to ensure you are ready for your next stage of learning.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 04/09/2024 -
Wed 18/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Abrams
Course code:
Q00017559
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Get Ready for Functional Skills Maths Entry 3

Set yourself up for success at entry 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 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:
Fri 06/09/2024 -
Fri 20/12/2024
Location:
The Manchester Deaf Centre (MANCHESTER)
Crawford House
Oxford Road
MANCHESTER
M13 9GH
Course code:
Q00015939
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

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 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

Beginners Digital Skills (Pre Entry)

This course is designed for pre-entry ESOL learners to introduce basic digital skills. During the course, students will learn fundamental computer skills such as using a keyboard, mouse, and navigating the internet. The course covers basic software applications like word processing and email. Practical exercises and interactive tutorials will help students gain confidence in using digital tools effectively. By the end of the course, students will have developed essential skills for using computers and the internet, empowering them to navigate the digital world with confidence.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 25/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Mount Pleasant School (Southampton)
Mount Pleasant Road
Newtown
Southampton
SO14 0WZ
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017308
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 04/11/2024
Times:
9:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gillian Hunt
Course code:
Q00016040
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Professional Development & Employability Skills

Are you looking to upskill for employment? Then attend this course and boost your employability skills. 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Mon 02/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017263
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £151.20