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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Professional Development: Preparing to work in the UK intermediate

Are you looking for work in the UK or thinking of starting work in the UK? If you have never worked in the UK or worked abroad but limited experience of working in the UK, this course is for you. The course is designed to support to improve your spoken and written English when thinking about your work skills and the type of work you are interest in. You will take part in mock interviews and help each other to practice your English through informal activities and discussion to prepare you for the world of work and improve your confidence. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 17/02/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Times:
12:45pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Ladywood Childrens Centre
9 Plough & Harrow Road
Birmingham
B16 8UR
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015564
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Get Ready for Functional Skills English Level 1

This intermediate level course is for learners wanting to get ready for their Functional Skills English Level 1 Reading exam course. This 'Get Ready' course will help you practise the skills you need to move on to the following accredited level 1 course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 18/02/2025 -
Thu 17/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
36 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Aleksandra Novikova
Course code:
Q00009291
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Employability & Skills

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 21/02/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Samantha Singh
Course code:
Q00016719
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

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 24/02/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Location:
Hull CVS
The Strand
75 Beverley Road
Hull
HU3 1XL
Course code:
P00000110
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

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

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 24/02/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00015759
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

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 24/02/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Susan Bell
Course code:
Q00015995
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

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 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 24/02/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015993
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. If you would like to do the NCFE Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges Level 2 (Q00015525). You will first need to enrol on Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Information and study skills L2. Q00015649. You will then be asked to complete a BKSB Initial Assessment. If you have L1 English you will be offered the course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 01/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
17 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00015525
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Intermediate Part 2

By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with the skills to create compelling presentations, identify fake sites, stay safe online, manage files, and confidently access online services. Learn to use Office 365, Outlook, PowerPoint, and internet effectively. This training ensures you can navigate digital spaces securely and efficiently, enhancing both your personal and professional capabilities. Gain practical knowledge to create visually appealing presentations and maintain digital safety. Provides essential digital skills for success in today's online environment. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority. Participants must live in Coventry Area Postcodes CV1 to CV6 inclusive.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 25/02/2025 -
Tue 08/04/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Foleshill Women's Training (Coventry)
70-72 Elmsdale Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry
CV6 6ES
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015619
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

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:
Wed 26/02/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018137
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free