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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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 19/09/2024 -
Fri 22/11/2024
Location:
St Johns Centre (Manchester)
St Johns Road
Old Trafford
Manchester
M16 7GX
Course code:
Q00016108
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Get Ready for Level 1 English

Prepare for success in Level 1 English with our comprehensive preparatory course. Enhance your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills to meet the demands of Level 1 coursework. Ideal for individuals aiming to improve their English proficiency for academic or professional purposes.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 19/09/2024 -
Thu 31/10/2024
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Course code:
Q00017256
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Using Canvas to Learn

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 20/09/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Matthews Neighbourhood Cntr (Library)
10 Malabar Road
Leicester
LE1 2PD
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00017222
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Entry Level Essential Digital Skills: Beginners

Beginner’s Digital Skills course for adults. Learn basic computer skills and get digitally fit for modern life. Learning for life and work. 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. Digital courses online offer you learning for life and work. You’ll learn digital skills to help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 15/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust (Birmingham)
36 Great Charles Street Queens
Birmingham
B3 3JY
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015694
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ 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: Intermediate

Beginner’s Digital Skills course for adults. Learn basic computer skills and get digitally fit for modern life. Learning for life and work. 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. Digital courses online offer you learning for life and work. You’ll learn digital skills to help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 15/11/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust (Birmingham)
36 Great Charles Street Queens
Birmingham
B3 3JY
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015699
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Essential Digital Skills (Entry 3)

Digital skills are increasingly in demand in modern society. Picking up essential digital skills can help you go about your everyday life, as well as open doors to employment opportunities. This course starts at the beginning and covers everything from using a digital device to getting started on social media and making videos. This Entry-level 3 digital skills course is aimed at complete beginners- so don’t worry if this is new to you. If you want to learn digital skills for everyday life or improve your job prospects, this course is ideal for you. It's also suitable for people reentering the workforce after a long break.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/09/2024 -
Fri 13/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Tutor:
Nutan Ramji
Course code:
Q00010363
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Get Ready for Functional Skills English (Entry 2)

Set yourself up for success at learning English with this Getting Ready for Functional Skills Entry 2 English preparation course. Get an English qualification to help you access a variety of work and study options. Functional skills courses in English teach you to read, write, and communicate confidently in English. Functional skills English isn’t like learning English at school. This is an English course for adults created by adults. Develop practical English skills by learning language in context.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 16/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Carramea Community Resource Centre (Harr
27 Northolt Road
Harrow
HA2 0LH
Tutor:
Roma Patel
Course code:
Q00017551
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

Develop skills to help you read, write, and communicate in English with confidence. Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. Level 1 functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. 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 level 1 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 23/09/2024 -
Tue 21/01/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
36 sessions
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Tutor:
Joanna Browning-Seyfi
Course code:
Q00016160
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting

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. The session on March 11th will take place face to face- Venue TBC.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
26 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00010880
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: SWAP Introduction to Helping in Schools Level 1

Begin your journey towards a rewarding career in education with our SWAP Introduction to Helping in Schools Level 1 course. Learn the essential skills and knowledge required to support teachers and students in the classroom. Ideal for individuals considering a career in education.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Thu 26/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss (Norwich)
1st Floor
Cavell House
Stannard Place
Norwich
NR3 1YE
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00018618
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00