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 advanced

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 have 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. Improve your digital skills and look at your transferrable skills and how they match job descriptions. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 24/03/2025 -
Mon 21/04/2025
Times:
12:45pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Ladywood Childrens Centre
9 Plough & Harrow Road
Birmingham
B16 8UR
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015569
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Certificate in Counselling Skills Level 2

Dive deeper into counselling and sharpen your set of skills for social work. Learn techniques to help those in need of support. Counselling courses teach you fundamental skills employers look for. Understand how to help others in a safe and positive way. The Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills introduces you to using counselling skills in everyday life: for work or within a personal capacity. Develop key skills employers look for in this level 2 counselling course. Team working and communication are key skills for CVs in support work.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 14/04/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Location:
Holyoake House (Manchester)
Holyoake House
Hanover Street
Manchester
M60 0AS
Course code:
Q00016067
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

Personal Development: Introduction to basic first aid

This 4-week Basic First Aid course equips you with the skills and knowledge to act decisively in an emergency. Each week focuses on a specific theme, progressively building your understanding. Learn how to handle common situations like applying bandages and slings, treating burns and scalds, performing CPR, and most importantly, knowing when to call an ambulance. By the end of the course, you'll not only gain valuable first-aid skills, but also create a personalised flowchart outlining the steps to take in case of an accident at KCU.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016752
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Personal Development: Working in the UK (E2/E3)

The 'Working in the UK' course is aimed at Esol E2/E3 learners. It helps you understand UK job basics. You will learn about finding jobs, writing a CV, and preparing for interviews. This course covers workers rights, such as pay and working hours and UK workplace culture. You will also learn how to communicate well with employers and colleagues. By the end of the course, you will feel more confident about finding and keeping a job in the UK. This course is ideal for people who are new to the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Wed 14/05/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017820
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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

Personal Development: Working in the UK (Level 1)

The "Working in the UK" course is aimed at ESOL E2/3 learners. It helps you understand UK job basics. You will learn about finding jobs, writing a CV, and preparing for interviews. The course covers workers' rights, such as pay and working hours, and UK workplace culture. You will also learn how to communicate well with employers and colleagues. By the end of the course, you will feel more confident about finding and keeping a job in the UK. This course is ideal for people who are new to the UK job market and need to improve their English skills. This course is free for anyone living in Southampton.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Wed 14/05/2025
Times:
9:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017821
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

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 23/04/2025 -
Wed 23/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Clare House (SCUNTHORPE)
31 Wells Street
SCUNTHORPE
DN15 6HL
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018138
How you'll learn:
In venue
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:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 17/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
13 sessions
Location:
Camborne Community Centre (Camborne)
South Terrace
Camborne
TR14 8SU
Tutor:
Pamela Rozentals
Course code:
Q00016159
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Pre-Entry Essential Digital Skills: Get Ready for Learning

This Pre-Entry 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 28/04/2025 -
Thu 12/06/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
21 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Barbara Ricci
Course code:
Q00017843
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

Personal Development: Advanced Language at Work

This Advanced level course will build on skills gained in the Pre Entry and Intermediate courses that you may have studied previously, or you may be assessed by the tutor as ready for this course straight away. It has been developed in partnership with Wolverhampton City Council which refers learners to this and to other courses hosed at the Old School based in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. This course is particularly suited to students who are unemployed and have been referred by a Job Centre to improve your spoken and written English and thereby develop the skills to empower you to get that job.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
The Old School Building (Wolverhampton)
The Old School
73 Dudley Road
Wolverhampton
WV2 3BY
Tutor:
Saima Gulzar
Course code:
Q00015677
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Advanced Part 1 Watch

This course is for women only. It will be held at the Dolphin Women's Centre, Washwood Heath, Birmingham and is an ESOL course for learners at Entry Level 1. The course will help you to develop your basic speaking and listening, skills in English. This is an English course aimed at adults for whom English is not their first language. You will get lots of opportuntities to practice your new English skills in groups and individually, you will also be given homework tasks so you can continue to practice at home.. If you are suipporting someone to find an English class you have come to the right place. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Watch Charity Ltd (Coventry)
10-12 Victoria Street
Coventry
CV1 5LZ
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015621
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00