Learn and succeed with Wakefield Adult Education service
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Wakefield Council has launched its autumn 2026 programme of new Adult Education courses. It offers a wide range of classes to help residents develop new skills and realise personal and professional goals. Whether people are looking to enter employment, improve their prospects, or change direction, there are courses to help.
“Wakefield’s Economic Growth Plan is about helping more people access better opportunities and a brighter future. Developing local skills is a key part of how we can do that. It will help attract business investment and deliver economic growth.
“Adult Education courses play a key role. The more skills our workforce has, the better Wakefield is as a place to do business. And the more innovative and successful businesses we can attract with our talented and hard-working people, the more opportunity there will be right on our doorstep.
“Our adult education service has a great track record of helping people to achieve their goals. With more than 97% of learners successfully completing their course last year. So don’t wait – check out the different learning options available today.”
Cllr Andrew Wakefield
Cabinet Member for for Strategic Housing, Skills and Business Growth
The autumn programme offers a variety of courses in digital and business skills, education and training, and Maths and English. New courses include Artificial Intelligence Essentials, designed to help people understand more about the technology and learn how it can assist them in their daily life.
Many of the courses are free of charge, and learners who are looking for work or earning less than £26,800 are eligible for free courses, even where fees apply. Some residents may also be entitled to assistance with travel costs, equipment and/or childcare.
Courses are offered at the Manygates Centre in Sandal and St. Mary’s Community Centre in Pontefract. For anyone seeking to improve their employability, Wakefield Adult Education is offering classes at Job Centre Plus in both Wakefield and Hemsworth to make learning even more accessible.
There is also an extensive offer of free accredited level 2 courses which can be taken online. Ideal for those people who want the flexibility of studying at home, in their own time. These include creating a business start-up, digital marketing, cyber security, and team leading.
A dedicated Learning Support team is available to assist anyone with additional needs throughout their course.
To help prospective learners make the right choices, they are invited to attend a Welcome to Learning event, where they can find out more, discuss their needs, determine the right course for them and enrol. To book call 01924 303 302 or visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/adulteducation.
Details of courses are available online at www.wakefield.gov.uk/adulteducation.
Wakefield is proud to be a UNESCO Global Learning City and is committed to improving opportunities for all residents through lifelong learning. Helping people to grow in confidence, develop their skills, improve their employment opportunities, meet new people, and live healthy, independent lives.