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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Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

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.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00015758
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting

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 13/01/2025 -
Thu 03/04/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
25 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00010875
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £300.00

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 13/01/2025 -
Mon 03/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Sasha Novikova
Course code:
Q00009559
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

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:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 30/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00018349
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

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:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 02/06/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
17 sessions
Location:
Aaina Community Hub
Bath Road
Walsall
WS1 3BS
Tutor:
Ekta Vishrolia
Course code:
Q00019178
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
4 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Multiply: Strategies for Maths Exams Entry 2

Develop effective strategies for succeeding in Maths exams with our comprehensive course. Focus on key mathematical concepts and exam techniques. Ideal for individuals preparing for Maths assessments.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Malcolm X Community Centre (BRISTOL)
141 City Road
St Pauls
BRISTOL
BS2 8YH
Tutor:
Taona Makunde
Course code:
Q00020241
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Pre-Entry Essential Digital Skills: Understanding Your Computer

Understanding a computer: how to turn a laptop on and off, use its controls and functions, access the accessibility tools. To describe the difference between hardware and software, apps and programs.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 03/02/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
The Shed (Warsop)
The Adam Eastwood Building
Wood Street, Warsop
Warsop
NG20 0AX
Tutor:
Kay Parker
Course code:
Q00020743
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Entry Level Essential Digital Skills: Access to Digital

This Entry level Digital Skills course helps you get ready for studying and daily life. You will learn how to use Microsoft Teams to talk and work with others and Canvas VLE to find and manage your course materials. We will also show you how to use your smartphone and laptop for everyday tasks like emailing, storing files, fixing simple tech problems, and searching the internet. By the end of this course, you will feel confident using these digital tools, ready for your studies and daily life.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 07/04/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
CREST (South Shields)
95 Fowler Street
South Shields
NE33 1NU
Tutor:
Susan Jones
Course code:
Q00020005
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 14/01/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
WEA (Leicester)
101 Hinckley Road
Leicester
LE3 0TD
Tutor:
Mariam Sidat
Course code:
Q00017223
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

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 14/01/2025 -
Thu 20/03/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
27 sessions
Location:
Queensgate Hotel
Fletton Avenue
Peterborough
South East
PE2 8AX
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00015771
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £226.80