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.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 14/05/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018445
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.50

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.
Dates:
Wed 30/04/2025 -
Wed 23/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Quaker Meeting House (Liverpool)
22 School Lane
Liverpool
L1 3BT
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00021963
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Setting up an Arts and Crafts Business

This micro course is designed for those who want to explore how to turn their creativity into a business. The course will outline the very basics of what you need to know in order to set up, and start running, a successful arts and crafts business whether creating and selling unique artwork, unique home décor, or jewellery. The course covers how to identify and define your niche within the arts and crafts sector; the basics of pricing products to ensure profitability; key steps to setting up an online shop or selling at local markets; simple marketing techniques to attract customers, including using social media. This course is perfect for beginners and requires no prior business knowledge. By the end of the session, you will have a clear understanding of the first steps needed to launch their arts and crafts venture and make your creative passions profitable.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 01/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Karen Duncan
Course code:
Q00021668
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£18.50

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.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Fri 02/05/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00016990
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Personal Development: Introduction to Counselling

This is an introductory short course to help you begin your journey into counselling and therapeutic skills. The course will cover insightful exercises, tutor-led discussions, and reflections to build your skills and self-awareness. This course is not only for those interested in a counselling career but is also excellent for those wishing to develop skills when working in person-facing roles. You will learn about the nature of counselling and The practice of listening skills, including reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising, and giving feedback. You will also consider professionalism, especially the importance of boundaries, transference, working with diversity and difference, as well as codes and ethics.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 17/07/2025
Times:
11:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
NST Hub (North Somerset Training Communi
31 Alexandra Parade
Weston-super-Mare
BS23 1QZ
Tutor:
Katie Dexter
Course code:
Q00018085
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £252.00

Essential Digital Skills (Entry 3)

Digital skills are increasingly in demand in modern society. Picking up essential digital skills can help you go about your everyday life, as well as open doors to employment opportunities. This course starts at the beginning and covers everything from using a digital device to getting started on social media and making videos. This Entry-level 3 digital skills course is aimed at complete beginners- so don’t worry if this is new to you. If you want to learn digital skills for everyday life or improve your job prospects, this course is ideal for you. It's also suitable for people reentering the workforce after a long break.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 24/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
South Yorkshire Housing Association
152 Rockingham Street
Sheffield
S1 4EB
Tutor:
Mark Turk
Course code:
Q00020552
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Employability & Skills

Attend our Employability course and boost your skills for work. If you’re entering the workforce for the first time or after a long break, this course can teach you essential skills employers look for and prepare you for the transition. Learn basic skills for jobs in any sector as well as key soft skills for your CV. Feel confident stepping into the workforce. This course will provide you with the soft skills required to get that job and give you the confidence and self esteem to sell what you have to offer to potential employers. Learning will take place in a relaxed environment with other like-minded learners, led by our expert tutor.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Natasha Horvath
Course code:
Q00016719
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Schools, Parenting and Child Development: Essential Skills for Childcare - NEW

This "Introduction to the Early Years Practitioner" course is designed for beginners seeking foundational knowledge in early childhood education and care. You will learn essential safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of children in Early Years settings. The course covers the development of babies and young children from birth to 7 years, with a focus on the crucial 0-5 years. Key topics include health and safety, safeguarding, special educational needs, and the promotion of play. A separate digital session is also arranged to get familiar with our Virtual Learning Platform, Canvas. Upon successful completion, you can progress to a Level 2 Qualification in Early Years Practitioner with WEA.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St Matthews Neighbourhood Cntr (Library)
10 Malabar Road
Leicester
LE1 2PD
Tutor:
Chantal Ngounou
Course code:
Q00021920
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £126.00

Level 1 Functional Skills in English

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.
Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 31/07/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018446
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £240.50

WordPress for Intermediates

Enhance your website development skills with our WordPress for Intermediates course. Learn advanced techniques for designing and managing WordPress sites. Ideal for individuals with basic WordPress knowledge looking to take their skills to the next level.
Dates:
Fri 02/05/2025 -
Fri 04/07/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00018911
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00