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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Entry Level Essential Digital Skills: Access to Digital

This Entry level Digital Skills course helps you get ready for studying and daily life. You will learn how to use Microsoft Teams to talk and work with others and Canvas VLE to find and manage your course materials. We will also show you how to use your smartphone and laptop for everyday tasks like emailing, storing files, fixing simple tech problems, and searching the internet. By the end of this course, you will feel confident using these digital tools, ready for your studies and daily life.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 07/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
CREST (South Shields)
95 Fowler Street
South Shields
NE33 1NU
Tutor:
Susan Jones
Course code:
Q00020005
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 14/01/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Tutor:
Mariam Sidat
Course code:
Q00017223
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 3)

Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. 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 entry 3 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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Thu 20/03/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
27 sessions
Location:
Queensgate Hotel
Fletton Avenue
Peterborough
South East
PE2 8AX
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00015771
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £226.80

Professional development: Step into apprenticeships

This course will help you to understand the opportunities available to you through apprenticeships. Ever wondered how apprenticeships work and who they are for? Thought you were too old to start an apprenticeship? This course will develop your knowledge and awareness of the variety of apprenticeships available to you. Discover how to learn while competing on the job training in a specific role and how an apprenticeship can benefit your personal development. This course may lead to further training, higher education and employment. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 18/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00015544
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Entry 2)

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 2 functional skills maths course offers a practical way to learn maths as an adult. Understand maths through real-life situations. Functional skills maths entry 2 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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Zaynab Al Hakeem
Course code:
Q00016168
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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 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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Zaynab Al Hakeem
Course code:
Q00016169
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 08/04/2025
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

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Intermediate Part 1

Use Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Word to create letters, posters, and tables. Learn to use Outlook to email files as attachments and Canvas to upload your work. By the end, you'll be prepared for further online learning and gain skills that enhance your employability. Designed to equip you with practical digital skills, making you more efficient and proficient in using essential office software. Provides valuable tools for success in the digital age for personal development or career advancement. 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 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Foleshill Women's Training (Coventry)
70-72 Elmsdale Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry
CV6 6ES
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015615
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 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 14/01/2025 -
Thu 27/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Sasha Novikova
Course code:
Q00009291
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 22/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Breckland Council
Elizabeth House
Walpole Loke
Dereham
Norfolk
NR19 1EE
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018565
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00