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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Pre Entry Digital Skills

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

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 04/09/2024 -
Fri 06/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss
14-18 College Street
Southampton
SO14 3EJ
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00018559
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Pre Entry Digital Skills

This course will teach you how to use Microsoft Word to enhance your documents with formatting, styles, images and templates. Adjust page layout, spacing and page breaks. Find and replace words. Create a table, a list and review your document with the editor. In Microsoft Excel, you will learn how to enhance your spreadsheets by formatting data in cells, sort and filter data. Copying and linking data between worksheets. Use a range of Excel functions and formulas. Create and customise charts. Finally, in Powerpoint you will learn how to create a presentation. Enter, edit and format text on slides. Insert shapes and images - apply a design and transition it onto slides. Save and print your presentation.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/09/2024 -
Tue 26/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Woodlands Community Library and Hub (Don
Windmill Balk Lane
Woodlands
Doncaster
DN6 7SF
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00018450
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Mon 09/09/2024 -
Fri 08/11/2024
Times:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019178
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

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

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 11/09/2024 -
Thu 09/01/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
31 sessions
Location:
Media Centre
7 Northumberland Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1RL
Tutor:
Dorota Rezulska
Course code:
Q00018423
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Understanding the role of the community interpreter level 1

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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/09/2024 -
Fri 08/11/2024
Times:
9:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Fozia Aslam
Course code:
Q00017330
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Pre-Entry Digital Skills

On this course, you will explore a range of digital skills and practices. Discover ways to keep yourself and your family safe by learning how to use parental controls, how to make payments safely and how to protect yourself from scammers. You must live in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire postcode areas to get this course free.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/09/2024 -
Fri 27/09/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Westwood Community Hub
Cross Keys House
31-35 Hampton Court
Westwood
Peterborough
PE3 7JB
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00009407
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Preparing for a Level 3 Work in a Support Role in Schools

Have you completed an introductory or a Level 2 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 3 course. It will also provide you with the opportunity to practice using these study skills as you move through the course. The tutor will guide you through each new skill using quizzes, case studies and related texts. You will get the chance to discuss each new topic with other learners, 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 Level 3 qualification.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/09/2024 -
Fri 20/09/2024
Times:
9:30am - 3:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Bimbola Olawanle
Course code:
Q00017621
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Level 1)

Work towards GCSE-level maths skills with this functional skills level 1 course. Progress your maths skills to help you access work and study opportunities. Functional maths improves your numeracy skills through real-life situations. Learn maths in context. Develop practical maths skills to help you in everyday situations such as organising your personal budget or applying discounts when shopping. This level 1 functional skills maths course can help you get a GCSE-equivalent qualification in maths. You’ll learn practical 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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/09/2024 -
Fri 07/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015513
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 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:
Fri 13/09/2024 -
Fri 29/11/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Bevois Town Primary School (Southampton)
Cedar Road
Southampton
SO14 6RU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017311
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40