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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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.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 05/12/2024 -
Fri 14/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
St Johns Centre (Manchester)
St Johns Road
Old Trafford
Manchester
M16 7GX
Tutor:
Linda Bennett
Course code:
Q00016109
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Pre Entry Digital Skills

Learn to use digital devices and gain essential computer skills for professional and personal use. Digital training helps you move with the times and not get left behind. This beginner’s course is for anyone who wants to learn digital skills, no matter your current knowledge. This course is appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is all new to you. Learn to use word processing software and fill out online forms in this Digital Skills course. Understand how to use email and search for information online. This digital skills training also teaches you how to shop online securely. You’ll understand online safety and data storage. This course is funded by West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 05/12/2024 -
Fri 17/01/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Edmund House
12-22 Newhall road
Birmingham
B3 3PJ
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019706
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Get Ready for Community Interpreting - Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Community Interpreters work within public services (e.g. NHS, schools, doctors’ surgeries, etc.) to help people who may be vulnerable in their community, and do not speak English. Without interpreters, many people would miss out on the help they are entitled to. Community Interpreters play a vital role in their local communities face-to-face and can also work over the telephone or online.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/12/2024 -
Fri 21/03/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Mariann Meszaros
Course code:
Q00018324
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

Using Canvas to Learn

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 09/12/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Gateshead Muslim Centre (Gateshead)
2, Westbourne Avenue
Gateshead
NE8 4NP
Tutor:
Maryam Knowles
Course code:
Q00018466
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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:
Wed 11/12/2024 -
Tue 03/06/2025
Location:
Todmorden Learning Centre (Todmorden)
Burnley Road
Todmorden
OL14 7BX
Course code:
Q00018425
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

Heath and Social Care: Introduction to Autism and Neurodiversity for Support Staff

Gain essential knowledge for supporting individuals with autism and neurodiversity with our Introduction to Autism and Neurodiversity for Support Staff course. Learn about common neurodiverse conditions and effective support strategies. Ideal for support staff in educational and care settings.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 12/12/2024 -
Thu 12/12/2024
Location:
Camborne Community Centre (Camborne)
South Terrace
Camborne
TR14 8SU
Course code:
Q00018077
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£25.20

Understanding the role of the community interpreter level 1

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs. This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 13/12/2024 -
Fri 14/02/2025
Times:
9:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Women's Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Mandish Sahota
Course code:
Q00017333
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Using Canvas to Learn

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/12/2024 -
Mon 16/12/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St Matthews Neighbourhood Cntr (Library)
10 Malabar Road
Leicester
LE1 2PD
Tutor:
Chantal Ngounou
Course code:
Q00017222
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £8.40

Safeguarding Support in Schools

Ensure the safety and well-being of students with our Safeguarding Support in Schools course. Learn key principles and practices for safeguarding children in educational settings. Ideal for school staff and volunteers committed to child protection.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/12/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Emmanuel Church Aylsham (Aylsham)
Cawston Road
Aylsham
NR11 6BX
Tutor:
Laura Howsen
Course code:
Q00018603
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.00

Digital Skills For Everyday Living- Beginners

Develop essential digital skills with our Digital Skills for Everyday Living: Beginners course. Learn the basics of using computers, navigating the internet, and understanding essential software applications. Ideal for individuals with little or no digital experience looking to build confidence in their digital abilities.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 05/01/2025 -
Mon 16/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
25 sessions
Location:
Purfleet Trust (King's Lynn)
5 St. Anns Fort
King's Lynn
PE30 1QS
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018908
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00