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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Personal Development: Introduction to Counselling

Explore the fundamentals of counselling with our Introduction to Counselling course. Learn essential skills and techniques used in the counselling profession. Ideal for individuals considering a career in counselling or looking to enhance their interpersonal skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 28/02/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Sasha Dineen
Course code:
Q00019018
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Professional Development: Employability Skills

Are you looking to upskill for employment? Then attend this course and boost your employability skills. If you’re entering the workforce for the first time or after a long break, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for and prepare you for the transition. Learn basic skills for jobs in any sector as well as key soft skills for your CV. Feel confident stepping into the workforce. This course will provide you with the soft skills required to get that job and give you the confidence and self-esteem to sell what you have to offer to potential employers.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Thu 06/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Seetec Pluss Bournemouth
G.01 & Meeting room 1a
Oxford Point
19 Oxford Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8GS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017095
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Professional Development: Setting Goals and Targets

Would you like to be more productive? Setting goals and organising your surroundings can help you avoid getting sidetracked and boost your personal productivity. Sometimes it’s hard to get things done when there are many distractions in your space. Decluttering and organising your home can help you avoid procrastination. (Decluttering can also be a good way to earn some extra money!) This goal-setting course will introduce you to the concept of SMART targets. This stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals. This method helps you set goals that you can realistically achieve. You’ll learn organisation skills to help you declutter your space and maintain focus.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Mon 07/04/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Tricuro -Parkstone Connect Day Centre (P
Croft Road
Poole
BH12 3LD
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00017089
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.60

Pre-Entry English: Get ready for English functional skills entry level 3

Prepare for your English Functional Skills exams with our Pre-Entry English: Get Ready for English Functional Skills Entry Level 3 course. Develop the essential English skills needed to succeed. Ideal for individuals looking to build a strong foundation in English.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 05/03/2025 -
Thu 01/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
14 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alice Lynden
Course code:
Q00016748
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £103.60

First steps into employment

Take your first steps towards employment with our comprehensive course. Develop essential skills and knowledge needed for job applications, interviews, and workplace success. Ideal for individuals seeking to enter the job market.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 07/03/2025 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Norwich Central Baptist Church (Norwich)
Duke Street
Norwich
NR3 3AP
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018984
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 2)

There are many reasons to study this English functional skills course but you might be surprised to know that they’re not academic. Whether you want to feel more confident at public speaking or would like to study an apprenticeship or traineeship, this Level 2 English Functional Skills course can help you achieve your goals in a fun and practical way. Functional skills courses teach you English skills for learning, life, and work- not just to pass an exam. Enjoy the learning process as you watch your vocabulary grow, your spelling improve, and your confidence soar. If you’re fed up with academic courses and want to learn English in a practical and gratifying way, you won’t regret taking this English functional skills level 2 course. 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:
Mon 10/03/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Location:
Landport Community Centre (Portsmouth)
Charles Street
Portsmouth
PO1 1JD
Course code:
Q00016170
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Entry Level Digital Skills

Get digitally fit for modern life and gain confidence in facing situations that require digital skills. Build on your basic computer skills in this Improvers course and see how digital training can help to transform your life. This intermediate Digital Skills course is for anyone wanting to improve their computer skills. Digital training teaches you skills for learning, life, and work. Improving your digital skills can help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/03/2025 -
Mon 31/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Somerstown Central Community Hub (Souths
Rivers Street
Somerstown
Southsea
PO5 4EY
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00009692
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Professional Development: SWAP Introduction to retail

Prepare for a career in retail with our SWAP Introduction to Retail course. Learn essential skills and knowledge required to work in the retail sector. Ideal for individuals seeking to enter the retail industry or enhance their retail skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 10/03/2025 -
Fri 14/03/2025
Location:
Ipswich County Library
Northgate Street
Ipswich
IP1 3DE
Course code:
Q00018993
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

Essential Digital Skills (Entry 3)

Digital skills are increasingly in demand in modern society. Picking up essential digital skills can help you go about your everyday life, as well as open doors to employment opportunities. This course starts at the beginning and covers everything from using a digital device to getting started on social media and making videos. This Entry-level 3 digital skills course is aimed at complete beginners- so don’t worry if this is new to you. If you want to learn digital skills for everyday life or improve your job prospects, this course is ideal for you. It's also suitable for people reentering the workforce after a long break.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 11/03/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00015752
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Level 1 English: Confidence to learn: Get ready for level 1 functional skills English

Develop skills to help you read, write, and communicate in English with confidence. Improved language skills open doors to work and study opportunities and help you learn key skills for employment. Functional skills courses are not like learning English at school. They’re created by adults for adults, and aim to teach you practical English skills through real-life situations. 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. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 11/03/2025 -
Tue 03/06/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Norton Hall Children & Family Centre (Bi
Norton Hall Women & Childrens
Ralph Road
Birmingham
B8 1NA
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00017616
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £189.00