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:
Fri 24/01/2025 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Taaziz Grada
Course code:
Q00013096
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Employability CEIAG

In this course you will learn about the responsibilities and expectations required of school staff as well as understand employment options available. This will enable you to make informed choices about the work experience and longer term schools based employment options available to you. You will also learn about the behaviour and responsibilities expected of school staff. Schools benefit from a variety of different staff that support the learning and welfare of pupils. In addition to the main teacher in each classroom, there are many other jobs inside and outside of lessons that contribute to how a school runs and how pupils learn. These jobs are typically called support roles, and make up half of the workforce in schools.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Wed 29/01/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Andrew Read
Course code:
Q00011604
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Getting ready for Care

Begin your journey into the care sector with our Step into Care course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to provide high-quality care to clients. Ideal for individuals considering a career in care or looking to enhance their caregiving skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Fri 31/01/2025
Location:
Norwich Central Baptist Church (Norwich)
Duke Street
Norwich
NR3 3AP
Course code:
Q00018949
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Social media and marketing for work

Learn the essentials of social media and marketing with our Social Media and Marketing for Work course. Understand how to use social media platforms to promote your business effectively. Ideal for individuals looking to enhance their marketing skills for professional purposes.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 29/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018626
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

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:
Thu 30/01/2025 -
Thu 08/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Maja Konkolewska
Course code:
Q00020377
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 31/01/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Location:
Ann Tayler Children's Centre (Hackney)
1-13 Triangle Road
Off Westgate Street
Hackney
E8 3RP
Course code:
Q00017734
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Award in Mental Health Awareness Level 1

If you’re interested in learning more about mental health issues, this level 1 course can teach you the foundational concepts. You’ll get a view into the nature of mental health work and the issues that face people struggling with it. Level 1 health and social care courses about mental health can teach you the basic principles of mental health care. If you enjoy this course you can continue your learning in this area. Mental health awareness training can help you understand if this area of work interests you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/02/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Veronica Hyde
Course code:
Q00016012
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

Community Interpreting: Get Ready for Level 2

Are you bilingual? Have you ever thought about using your language skills to help in your 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.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Thu 27/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Barbara Ricci
Course code:
Q00009293
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Fri 28/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Malcolm X Community Centre (BRISTOL)
141 City Road
St Pauls
BRISTOL
BS2 8YH
Tutor:
Taona Makunde
Course code:
Q00009272
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Diploma in Counselling Level 3

Talking therapies help people overcome anxiety, trauma, bereavement, and many other problems they may be facing in life. If you’re keen to learn how to support people through challenging times, this counselling training is right for you. The Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills gives you a solid understanding of theory and practical skills. Learn counselling skills you can apply in everyday life, be it for work or within a personal capacity. Counselling courses teach you fundamental skills employers look for. You’ll understand how to help others in a safe and constructive way. This course is right for you if you work in a role which requires counselling skills, or if you’re working towards accredited Counsellor Status.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Sun 28/09/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
77 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Tracey Cohen
Course code:
Q00016970
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £2225.00