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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Introduction to Working in Schools & Colleges

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 27/02/2025 -
Thu 03/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
St Marys Community Centre (PONTEFRACT)
The Circle
Chequerfield
PONTEFRACT
WF8 2AY
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00020246
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Personal Development: Communication and Number Skills

Take part in a range of fun activities to help improve your communication and number skills.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 27/02/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Barnsley Mencap (Barnsley)
122 Pontefract Road
Barnsley
S71 1JA
Tutor:
Juliana Gilmartin
Course code:
Q00021321
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

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

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Mon 14/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00015535
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Intermediate Microsoft Word Skills

This Intermediate Microsoft Word course is aimed at Beginners with some basic knowledge of documents who want to improve and learn further skills. You will learn how to enhance your documents with formatting, styles, images, Emoji’s, and a variety of Word templates. Review with the Word Editor. Create a table and a list. Enhance your documents using the Designer.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Mon 31/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00020706
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet Skills

This Intermediate Microsoft Excel course is aimed at Beginners with some basic knowledge of Spreadsheets who want to improve and learn further skills. You will learn how to enhance your spreadsheet with formatting, images, and shapes. Sort and filter data. Customise a template. Create a chart that you can use in the workplace to present to colleagues or use for personal finances, budgets or creating a list of items and values.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Mon 31/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00020707
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Pre-Entry Essential Digital Skills: Introduction to PowerPoint

An introduction to creating a presentation using Microsoft Office 365 specialist software - PowerPoint.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Warsop Town Hall (Mansfield)
20 Church Street
Warsop
Mansfield
NG20 0AL
Tutor:
Kay Parker
Course code:
Q00021275
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Personal Development: Practical BSL for Use in Everyday Situations for Improvers

This exciting and innovative online BSL course will explore the next level of British Sign Language for improvers, in order to use BSL in a variety of everyday situations. You will build on your foundation knowledge of BSL, developing your vocabulary and conversational techniques which will unlock the next stage of your BSL communication skills. This is an enriching and rewarding opportunity to extend your understanding of the Deaf community and the importance of access, inclusion and equality for all. Utilising a rich variety of online resources and interactive activities, this course will equip you with the skills to confidently communicate with other BSL users and bridge the divide between the hearing and the Deaf.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 03/03/2025 -
Mon 17/03/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Helen Watson
Course code:
Q00021316
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Entry 3)

Continue developing your English skills to open doors to work and study opportunities. This entry 3 functional skills course helps you learn English skills employers look for. Gain practical skills to improve your reading, writing, and verbal communication in English. 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. Functional Skills entry 3 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. 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 04/03/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
27 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019220
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Functional Skills Qualification in English (Level 1)

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. Level 1 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. Functional Skills level 1 is a government-funded accredited English course for adults. 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 04/03/2025 -
Thu 05/06/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Sasha Novikova
Course code:
Q00009266
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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