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Supporting when looking for work

Personal development can mean a lot of different things. Our courses can help you develop the skills and confidence you need to make the most of your potential. Our adult education classes can also help you grow in your current job and help you reach your goals.

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Looking for work? Start here

If you are looking for work and want to get started, we have short courses to help you find work. We run free course * on CV writing, job hunting and interviews. We’re here to help you reach your potential. From starting to explore your options to learning how to successfully apply for jobs. Our personal development courses help you take positive steps towards your dream job.

Stand out from the crowd

To stand out in the crowd and improve your employability, our tutors offer friendly support to meet your needs. You can talk to your tutor about your goals and identify the steps you need to take to get into the job you want. Whether an online course or in person, our tutors are here to ensure you succeed.

Already in work?

If you’re already in work and want to gain new skills and confidence or improve your wellbeing at work, our courses can help. Our adult education skills courses help you clarify your goals and find a clear path to reaching your potential.

*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.

Skills training courses for volunteers

Doing voluntary work is richly rewarding and can also help you gain great skills. You might be looking to give back to society or you want to build your work experience. Volunteering helps you build your confidence. If you want to do voluntary work, these courses are for you.

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Insight into volunteering

Our courses give you insight into volunteering and voluntary organisations, help you explore the roles and learn how to apply for volunteering roles. You’ll learn how to put the skills you gain on your CV.

From sharing your skills to help others, to building up your experience to get a job. Whatever your reasons for volunteering, an adult education class can help you unlock your potential.

Skills for volunteers

Our courses cover a wide range of volunteer skills; from safeguarding training to helping people in distress. If you want to do voluntary work, or find training for volunteers, you can find the right course.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been in education for years. Our tutors are experts in adult education, and make our courses easy for adult learners.

Did you know we also do counselling skills courses? These are great training for people in voluntary organisations, and you can find them here.

Self-employment, small business courses and creative careers

Turn a passion into profit with our range of courses aimed to help you start your own business and run it successfully. Find freedom in being your own boss and get the knowledge you need to start out on your own.

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What you need to know as a small business owner

We offer marketing courses for small businesses, courses to help you balance the books and to get your own company started.

Creative courses

Turn your hand to something creative by learning a skill that can lead to self-employment or work in a small business.

We run courses in sewing, dressmaking and garment making. We also run courses in nail service, hair and beauty. Our creative crafts awards can also lead to paid work.

Challenges and opportunities

We’ll help you understand the challenges and opportunities of freelancing or how you can apply your skills to get a job in a small business. From taster courses to full qualifications, there is something for everybody.

Grow your interest into a business and make the most of your opportunities.

Courses in teamwork, leadership and management

Teamwork skills are important in every job. From being a great member of a team to being a team leader, our courses will help you succeed. If you’re aspiring to be a supervisor or manager or you’ve just taken on a managerial job, a leadership course will help you reach your potential.

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Team member skills

If you’ve been out of work for a while or just want to improve your work skills, you can take an ILM Level 2 in Effective Team Member Skills.

Take the next step to leadership

You can step up your leadership skills with a Level 3 ILM Diploma in leadership & management. Develop the essential management skills you need to lead a team and step up to your next role.

Whether you lead a team at work or in a voluntary capacity, grow your aspirations and become the leader you want to be with a leadership course with the WEA.

Discover free admin courses with the WEA*

Our courses can help you get ahead, whether you're interested in office work or business administration. Find out about what admin roles involve, the skills you need to develop and how to get an office job.

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Boost your organisational and computer skills and find your pathway into working in an office environment. Find admin courses online or in a local class near you.

Why take an admin course with us?

Taking an admin course can help you get an office job, whether it's your first one or you're returning to work.

Whether you are looking for an online course or one taking place in a venue near you, you'll still great the same friendly support from our tutors. These courses give you the skills and confidence to apply for admin jobs.

Other skills for office work

If you’re looking for office work, brushing up your digital skills can get you ahead. Check out our free IT and digital courses. Ready to step up to a team leader or supervisor role? Discover our leadership courses to help you get ahead.

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Take me to leadership courses

Free English functional skills courses*

Many jobs ask you to have good English skills. If you don’t have an English GCSE, it can sometimes hold you back from getting the job you really want. A functional skills qualification boosts your skills and builds confidence in English.

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Skills for communication - reading, writing and listening

Advance your reading, writing and listening skills. Grow your vocabulary and refresh your knowledge of grammar. Functional skills qualifications builds you up the next level of your work or education.

This isn’t like being back at school. You’ll gain communication skills that you’ll use in everyday life or work.

Learn how to read official letters and complete complicated forms with ease. Study how to communicate and present your ideas clearly. Help the kids with their homework. Improve your public speaking.

A different approach to learning

You’ll learn in small classes, with supportive tutors who can tailor teaching to your individual needs. If you're looking for courses that are free but have great teaching, learn with us. Start your journey today and work up to your functional skills English level two qualification.

Improving your writing and reading skills as an adult opens the door to new opportunities.

A practical qualification

Gain the qualification and confidence needed to get into good jobs or go on to further education. Want to get functional skills English and maths qualifications together? Book yourself onto a maths course as well.

How to learn digital skills for free*

Confidence with computers is vital in both life and work. Over 80% of job adverts list digital skills as essential and being online can make it easier to complete everyday tasks. Learn a new skill and give your CV a boost, with our digital skills courses.

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From spreadsheets to social media

Learn the digital essentials across a range of topics, from using smartphones to mastering Excel spreadsheets. Our digital skills courses can help you use social media and the internet to find work opportunities and prepare job applications. Learn how to keep your data safe, create documents or start digital marketing.

Beginners computer courses to IT qualifications

We offer different levels of computing courses. From short beginners’ courses, to full Level three IT qualifications employers want on your CV. There is a digital skills course for everyone. Best of all, they are free.

Digital skills for work

Our digital training classes are part of a range of free courses for jobs. We’re here to help you learn the skills and knowledge you need to get into and thrive at work.

Finding the right digital skills course

We know that everyone has a different range of skills, so our team will make sure you start at the right level for you and help you reach your goals.

Gain the practical digital skills that will help you thrive in the online world. Whether you learn in a classroom or take an online course at home, our supportive tutors will get to up to speed.

Courses that don't fit anywhere else!

Our other courses page is your chance to find a course a little out of the ordinary. A place to be inspired by something a little different. Here you’ll find courses that cover topics that don’t neatly slot under some of our other categories but still offer the great WEA learning experience that you’d expect.

A unique learning experience

That means you’ll find expert tutors who are deeply knowledgeable on their subjects, learn in a small class which means you’ll get great support and join a welcoming environment with others interested in the same things. Take the leap and learn something new today!

Where the oldest debates and theories meet the newest technology.

Through learning with others, you’ll build up a network of people with the same interests as you too, many of whom could go on to become friends for years!

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What topics do our philosophy courses cover?

From exploring some of the biggest controversies in philosophy, to examining the great moral issues in contemporary society, our small class sizes ensure you can immerse yourself in the subject in a supportive and friendly environment.

You’ll have the opportunity to tackle some of life's big questions and critique the work of some of the most well-respected philosophers that have emerged in society. Whether you’re examining the works of Plato, or debating some of Aristotle’s most significant findings, all that’s left to decide is which course is right for you.

Find a philosophy course near you

Whether you choose one of our online courses that are accessible from the comfort of your home, or in-person learning at one of our venues, you’ll have an experienced tutor on hand to facilitate the conversation and prompt discussion on some of the most important aspects of philosophy.

Sociology courses with the WEA

Defined by many as the study of the development, structure, and functioning of human society, sociology is a subject that has prompted debate and discussion for decades.

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What sociology topics are available?

Whether you’re new to the subject or have been studying sociology for a while, we offer a wide range of courses suitable for different levels of understanding.

Taught by experts in their field, our sociology courses explore a diverse mixture of issues and debates. These include what it means to foster a sense of belonging and how being connected to other people enables us to feel a part of society. Morality, ethics and community are just some of the other areas that learners can also expect to explore.

Attend a sociology course near you

Delivered online and in person, our sociology courses also benefit from small class sizes, ensuring that discussion between learners can take place in a positive, supportive environment where you can learn at a pace that suits you.

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