Westminster City Council

Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) is Westminster City Council’s adult education provider, delivering high quality learning and skills for adults aged 19+ across one of London’s most diverse and economically complex boroughs. As one of the capital’s largest adult and community learning services, we play a central role in supporting Westminster by enabling local residents to gain skills, progress into good work, strengthen wellbeing and participate fully in their communities.

Our provision includes a wide range of accredited and non accredited learning across digital, green skills, ESOL, English and maths, creative industries, vocational pathways, community learning and apprenticeships. We serve learners across all wards, with strong reach into Westminster’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods. In 2024/25, 5,190 learners enrolled at WAES, with a 95% overall pass rate and 98% recommending us to others.

We work strategically with employers, anchor institutions, referral partners, the NHS, cultural organisations and other further- and higher-education institutions to ensure our programmes meet Westminster’s labour market needs and support London’s wider skills priorities. WAES is funded primarily through the GLA Adult Skills Fund, with additional national funding for learners beyond Greater London. Our mission is to transform lives through inclusive, inspirational lifelong learning, enabling adults to raise their aspirations and achieve their potential.

KEY SERVICE AREAS:

  • Adult Skills & Employability
  • ESOL & Community Integration
  • Digital & Green Skills
  • Apprenticeships & Work Based Learning
  • Creative & Cultural Industries Training
  • Health, Care & Early Years
  • Inclusive Pathways (SEND/LDD)
  • Employer & Community Partnerships

CONTACT DETAILS:

Westminster Insight

Moving into a green career through practical training

As the demand for green skills grows, the challenge is creating clear routes into these roles. Targeted training programmes can bridge this gap by combining technical knowledge with practical application.

Gaining work skills through hands-on enterprise

For many learners with learning difficulties or disabilities, the pathway into work is not always accessible through traditional routes. Practical, hands-on learning can provide a more effective way to build skills, confidence and independence.

From learning English to finding work in a new country

For many people arriving in the UK, the journey into work begins with learning English and rebuilding confidence. Progression is rarely linear - it often involves moving through different types of learning over time.

Learning about green jobs by seeing them in your local area

As demand for green skills grows, the challenge is helping people understand how these jobs connect to their everyday lives.

Finding purpose again through creative learning

For some adults, learning provides a way to rebuild direction and identity after difficult life experiences. Creative courses can offer structure, purpose and a space to develop both skills and confidence.

What are you looking for?

One thing remains constant. That London changes at pace.

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