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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Beginners Digital Skills

Digital courses online offer you learning for life and work. You’ll learn digital skills to help you in your everyday life. This course could also help you progress to job roles that require digital work skills. When you complete this course, you can progress to Improver’s Digital Skills. Depending on whether your needs are personal or professional, you can also progress to an accredited Digital Skills qualification. If you’re not sure which course is right for you, your tutor can help you decide which options fit your preferences. You’ll need access to the internet to take this course as your tutor will upload useful materials to Canvas, the WEA’s digital learning platform. You’ll also need a digital device such as a laptop, tablet, or phone. Your learning is our priority. The WEA is an adult education provider and we pride ourselves on our ability to create a friendly classroom atmosphere, in person and online! Your tutor will support you through your learning journey, every step of the way. Most of our courses are free for most of our learners. Please note that you need to get to the end of the enrolment process to see the discounts.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/05/2024 -
Thu 11/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Shaw Trust Dudley
Provision House
Dudley
Midlands
DY1 1PY
Tutor:
Shirley Bate
Course code:
Q00015228
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

Personal Development: Introduction to Beauty Therapy

Welcome to 'Introduction to Beauty Therapy', a comprehensive course designed to equip you with fundamental skills in manicure, pedicure, facials, and natural makeup. Whether you're interested in enhancing personal wellbeing or offering beauty treatments to family and friends, this course provides a solid foundation for your journey into the beauty sector.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/05/2024 -
Thu 25/07/2024
Times:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Greasbrough Public Library (ROTHERHAM)
Coach Road
Greasborough
ROTHERHAM
S61 4PU
Tutor:
Rachel Ward
Course code:
Q00015431
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Beginners Excel and Spreadsheets

Did you know you can use spreadsheets to make hundreds of everyday tasks easier? You can use them to efficiently keep track of job applications, birthday lists, inventories of collectible items, or anything else. Never opened a spreadsheet in your life? Don’t worry. This is an Excel course for beginners, and we’ll cover all the basics. This beginners Excel course aims to teach you computer skills for everyday life.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 17/05/2024 -
Fri 31/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gillian Futcher
Course code:
Q00009889
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

Get ready for English Functional Skills Level 2

Welcome to "Get Ready for Functional Skills English Level 2"! This engaging course is designed to prepare learners for the City and Guilds Functional Skills English Level 2 exam. With a focus on practical English skills, our experienced instructors guide you through reading, writing, speaking, and listening exercises that are both fun and educational. Whether you're looking to improve your English for personal growth or professional advancement, this course will help you gain confidence and competence in English.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Fri 14/06/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
16 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Aleksandra Novikova
Course code:
Q00013921
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

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:
WEA Membership

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

Are you living in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire area? 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. This course is for people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough only. Please do not join the course if you live outside the area. Please check the website for other courses or call learner support on 0300 303 3464.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
9:15am - 11:30am
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00014589
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Multiply Essex: Paediatric First Aid

This course is in partnership with Parents4Parents for members of their community. The 8-hour paediatric first aid course provides comprehensive training on the essential skills, numeracy and responsibilities of a paediatric first aider. Participants will learn the critical role they play in emergency situations involving infants and children and also how maths plays a role in that. Core topics covered include CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), including both resuscitation techniques and defibrillation procedures tailored for paediatric cases. Additionally, the course covers the management of seizures, choking incidents, wounds, bites, and stings commonly encountered in paediatric emergencies. Through hands-on practice and theoretical instruction, participants gain the confidence and skills necessary to effectively respond to paediatric medical crises and potentially save lives.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Mon 03/06/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
King Edward Community Centre (Basildon)
Community Centre
Hunter Court, King Edward Road
Basildon
SS15 6GY
Tutor:
Zoe Shelley
Course code:
Q00014892
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Professional Development: Interview skills

This course will give you the knowledge and understanding you need to prepare for an interview, either for a job or potential course. You will also consider how to present and conduct yourself during an interview. The course will also support you to know what questions you could ask during an interview and give you some practice of asking and answering questions. In addition, it will help you recognise do’s and don’ts for an interview situation so that you may present yourself in the best way possible and maximise your chances of success!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Mon 17/06/2024
Times:
12:15pm - 2:45pm
Duration:
7 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Imogen Draper
Course code:
Q00015008
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £64.75

Personal Development: DWP CV Writing workshop

The CV writing workshop will empower Department for Work and Pensions claimants to create a new CV or update an existing CV with the help of an experienced tutor. You will learn the basic concepts and importance of an effective CV, ensuring that it includes personal details, information on education, work experience, key skills and references. Where appropriate you will receive support to tailor CVs to specific job roles with a view to improve prospects for being invited for an interview. It will be an opportunity to obtain individual feedback, review drafted CVs and address any individual queries and concerns.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Mon 20/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
DWP Wellington Street Job Centre
Crown Buildings
60 Wellington Street
Leicester
LE1 6DS
Tutor:
Ayman Ali
Course code:
Q00015434
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

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:
Mon 20/05/2024 -
Mon 29/07/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
18 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Aleksandra Novikova
Course code:
Q00015533
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Award in Education and Training Level 3

Kickstart your education career with this introductory teaching qualification. Experience the buzz of learning environments and get a view into the profession. Learn essential teaching skills and open doors to further education jobs in this Education and Training course. This course prepares you for teaching jobs working with adults. These can include roles as a tutor, learning assistant, teaching assistant, or trainer in universities, Sixth Form colleges, or other adult learning settings. This Level 3 Award in Teaching and Education is the first step towards a fulfilling career in teaching. If you want to get a teaching qualification, this foundational course can give you a taste of the industry before you move onto higher level qualifications.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 21/05/2024 -
Tue 09/07/2024
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gillian Hunt
Course code:
Q00013741
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Waiting list (Join waiting list)
Fee range
Free to £300.00