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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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:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 20/01/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
30 sessions
Location:
ACT Sheffield, Firvale Centre (Sheffield
Earl Marshal Road
Sheffield
S4 8LB
Tutor:
Benjamin Warner
Course code:
Q00018787
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Professional Development: Preparation for Support Work in Schools and Colleges

Get a view into the enriching world of teaching and learning. If you’d like to work in a school, with children directly or in an admin role, this course is the perfect first step. Whether you plan to get a teaching qualification or just want a taster into the school environment, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for in school staff. In this course you’ll learn foundational concepts for working in a learning environment. It can help you decide whether a job at a school is right for you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 14/10/2024
Times:
9:45am - 12:45pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
The Poppleton Centre (York)
Main Street
Upper Poppleton
York
YO26 6JT
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00019185
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

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

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 23/09/2024 -
Mon 30/09/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
CREST (South Shields)
95 Fowler Street
South Shields
NE33 1NU
Tutor:
Kathleen Scott
Course code:
Q00019531
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.80

Pre-Entry Digital Skills: Beginners Part 1

Learn to use digital devices and gain essential digital 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 those who feel somewhat confident with their digital skills or would like to improve them, so don’t worry if this is new to you. Learn to use your phone, your keyboard, calendar, notes, contact list and fill out online forms in this Digital Skills course. Understand how to take and upload pictures and search for information online.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 08/10/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Foleshill Women's Training (Coventry)
70-72 Elmsdale Avenue
Foleshill
Coventry
CV6 6ES
Tutor:
Humera Mehrban
Course code:
Q00015611
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £31.50

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:
£15

Confidence to Learn: Preparation for Award in Digital Promotion for Business Level 2

Get to the core of how to build or promote a business with this digital marketing course. Digital promotion activities such as online and social media marketing can help you support your company’s growth or build your own business. Get first-hand knowledge of key business activities that promote growth. Gain a clear understanding of digital marketing practices with this preparatory digital skills course. It’s ideal for flexible learning as you can choose topics that interest you from a variety of units. Pick up crucial skills for employment that can help you in any sector and build skills for your CV.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 08/10/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Indrel Doney
Course code:
Q00017630
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £27.75

Award in Preparing to Work in Schools Level 1

Get a view into the enriching world of teaching and learning. If you’d like to work in a school, with kids or in an admin role, this course is the perfect first step. Whether you plan to get a teaching qualification or just want a taster into the school environment, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for in school staff. In this course you’ll learn foundational concepts for working in a learning environment. It can help you decide whether a job at a school is right for you

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Hull CVS
The Strand
75 Beverley Road
Hull
HU3 1XL
Tutor:
Aleksandra Novikova
Course code:
Q00017991
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Certificate in Mental Health Awareness Level 2

Gain essential skills for care jobs and support work to help you improve the care you give. If you want to work in mentoring, counselling, or as a support worker, this Mental Health Awareness training will teach you important skills employers look for. This course builds on your existing knowledge. We will study definitions of ‘mental health’ and laws around care provision. Learn about the most common mental health conditions in the UK today. Gain greater awareness of the symptoms, causes, and treatments for these conditions. You will study stress, anxiety, phobias, and depression, among others.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 24/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 1:00pm
Duration:
33 sessions
Location:
The Cornforth Partnership (Ferryhill)
68-70 High Street
West Cornforth
Ferryhill
DL17 9HS
Tutor:
Margaret Mordue
Course code:
Q00018675
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £362.00

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 24/09/2024 -
Tue 10/12/2024
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00016139
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

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:
Tue 24/09/2024 -
Tue 15/04/2025
Times:
9:30am - 2:30pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
ACT Sheffield, Firvale Centre (Sheffield
Earl Marshal Road
Sheffield
S4 8LB
Tutor:
Julie Berg
Course code:
Q00018785
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00

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:
Wed 25/09/2024 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
9:45am - 2:15pm
Duration:
22 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gale Hollis
Course code:
Q00017900
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £225.00