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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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

Introduction to Working as a Teaching Assistant

1. Discover employment routes into different areas within the education sector and explore the skills you will need to progress. 2. Explore the national curriculum of England and the different skills that are learned through play 3. Research strategies for teaching literacy and numeracy 4. Examine children's social, emotional and behavioural development in education 5. Find out about disabilities and working in special needs education

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Rebecca Liaucius
Course code:
Q00020089
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £55.50

Basic Digital skills

This course is designed to help learners develop basic computer skills needed for everyday tasks. This course is ideal for beginners with little or no prior experience with digital devices or software.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 27/01/2025 -
Wed 02/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
Sneinton Community CIC
Edale Road
Sneinton
Nottingham
NG2 4HT
Tutor:
Shamaila Firdaus
Course code:
Q00020049
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £226.80

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:
4 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 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

Professional Development: Basic Health and safety skills

During this course, we will look at keeping you safe within your workplace. We will look at fire safety, signage, electrical safety, kitchen and food safety and manual handling around. Develop knowledge of how health and safety works within the workplace and who is responsible, recording and reporting measures and the requirements needed by employees, employers and organisations. This course will also look at health and safety at home and how to ensure yours and your family’s safety. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/02/2025 -
Mon 24/02/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00015552
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics (Entry 3)

A qualification for work, study and life. The qualification will give the learner a sound grasp of mathematical skills and the ability to apply mathematical thinking effectively to solve problems successfully in the workplace and in other real life situations.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Fri 28/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
21 sessions
Location:
Malcolm X Community Centre (BRISTOL)
141 City Road
St Pauls
BRISTOL
BS2 8YH
Tutor:
Taona Makunde
Course code:
Q00020830
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

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

Using Canvas to Learn: An Introduction to Canvas

An introduction in how to use Canvas for those students who have not used a digital learning platform before. Canvas is a versatile education tool in that it can be used in the classroom to learn digital skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
St Peters Centre (Mansfield)
Church Side
Mansfield
NG18 1AP
Tutor:
Kay Parker
Course code:
Q00020807
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

Award in Digital Promotion for Business (OG) Level 2

Get to the core of how to build or promote a business with this digital marketing course. Digital promotion activities such as online and social media marketing can help you support your company’s growth or build your own business. Get first-hand knowledge of key business activities that promote growth. Gain a clear understanding of digital marketing practices with this digital skills course. It’s ideal for flexible learning as you can choose topics that interest you from a variety of units. Pick up crucial skills for employment that can help you in any sector and build skills for your CV. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 04/02/2025 -
Tue 13/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Karen Duncan
Course code:
Q00020659
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00