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.
Dates:
Tue 25/03/2025 -
Thu 29/05/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Location:
Queensgate Hotel
Fletton Avenue
Peterborough
South East
PE2 8AX
Tutor:
Inna Gorobets
Course code:
Q00020125
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Personal Development: Working in the UK (E2/E3)

The 'Working in the UK' course is aimed at Esol E2/E3 learners. It helps you understand UK job basics. You will learn about finding jobs, writing a CV, and preparing for interviews. This course covers workers rights, such as pay and working hours and UK workplace culture. You will also learn how to communicate well with employers and colleagues. By the end of the course, you will feel more confident about finding and keeping a job in the UK. This course is ideal for people who are new to the UK.
Dates:
Tue 01/04/2025 -
Thu 08/05/2025
Times:
12:15pm - 2:15pm
Duration:
17 sessions
Location:
Clovelly Centre (Southampton)
60-68 Clovelly Road
Southampton
SO14 0AU
Tutor:
Irma Gough
Course code:
Q00017820
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

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:
Tue 01/04/2025 -
Thu 19/06/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:00pm
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Sasha Novikova
Course code:
Q00009268
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Start your own small business

Learn the essentials of starting a small business with our Start Your Own Small Business course. Understand the basics of business planning, finance, and marketing. Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their business ideas into reality.
Dates:
Wed 02/04/2025 -
Thu 10/04/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Chris George
Course code:
Q00019009
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Award in Stress Awareness Level 1

Stress affects most people in the country at some point in life. Understanding the harmful effects of stress is essential to maintaining good mental health and well-being. This stress awareness course can help you recognise and deal with stress when it happens. This mental health awareness training helps you understand what you and others may be experiencing. It is also useful if you work in a support role such as mentor, counsellor, or carer. It will teach you important skills for care jobs if you want to work in adult social care.
Dates:
Thu 10/04/2025 -
Thu 29/05/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00018962
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £75.00

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 17/04/2025 -
Thu 24/07/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
12 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

Personal Development: Introduction to basic first aid

This 4-week Basic First Aid course equips you with the skills and knowledge to act decisively in an emergency. Each week focuses on a specific theme, progressively building your understanding. Learn how to handle common situations like applying bandages and slings, treating burns and scalds, performing CPR, and most importantly, knowing when to call an ambulance. By the end of the course, you'll not only gain valuable first-aid skills, but also create a personalised flowchart outlining the steps to take in case of an accident at KCU.
Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
KCU Ltd at Fuller Church (Kettering)
51 Gold Street
Kettering
NN16 8JB
Tutor:
Caroline Smy
Course code:
Q00016752
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Everyday Digital Skills

This course for digital skills is suitable for anyone who wants to learn or refresh their digital skills, from beginners to lower level (English Pre-entry to Entry 1 levels). You will learn digital related vocabulary and familiarise yourself with Zoom and/or Teams features to assist with online learning. On this course you will get to grips with keyboard functions and using Microsoft. Additionally, you will understand online safety and how to register with the NHS app.
Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Heena Ajmal
Course code:
Q00018508
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

Get Ready for Functional Skills Maths Entry 3

Set yourself up for success at entry 3 functional skills in maths. This get ready course helps you prepare to tackle entry 3 maths with confidence. The essential maths skills you’ll learn will help you get your qualification and serve you in everyday life. Get ready courses help you learn maths at your own pace. The idea of this course is to give you extra study time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need for entry 3 maths. This is a preparatory maths course for people who are looking to progress to entry 3 functional skills courses. It is a non-accredited adult maths course.
Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Fri 06/06/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
33 sessions
Location:
St Pauls Learning Centre (Bristol)
94 Grosvenor Road
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8XJ
Tutor:
Taona Makunde
Course code:
Q00009695
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £150.00

Entry Level Digital Skills: Google - How to use Google Doc

Discover the wonderful world of Google Docs: This short taster course will introduce you to the basics of Google Docs including an overview of how to create and implement it, what you can do with Google Docs and how to use it across applications. We will be using data provided on a Google account to use Google Docs. Whether you have studied the content before or are completely new to it, you will find value on this programme. You do not need any special tools to attend, just yourself and some enthusiasm. Start your Google Docs journey today by registering for this course.
Dates:
Tue 22/04/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Peter Brown
Course code:
Q00017446
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00