Economy Minister today announced Multiply, a
new, free to access programme aimed at improving adult numeracy
skills.
Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Multiply will
support the delivery of numeracy training to more than 3,000
adults through 115 initiatives delivered by further education
colleges, universities and local councils in partnership with
voluntary and community organisations.
Speaking after a visit to Belfast Met's Titanic Campus, the
Minister said:
"Confidence with numbers is a key employability skill. Sadly, too
many adults in the north lack, or feel they lack, numeracy skills
and this in turn impacts their career prospects and overall
wellbeing. Indeed the 2022 Employer Skills Survey highlighted
that a lack of basic numerical skills contributed to a quarter of
skills-shortage vacancies here.
“Multiply will see thousands of training opportunities made
available for adults right across the north. I strongly encourage
anyone who feels they would benefit from additional numeracy
training to visit nidirect and find out about courses near them.”
Multiply offers free courses and activities that fit around
people's lives, ranging from a few hours to several weeks. The
programme is designed to help people looking to boost their
career, support family learning, get new qualifications or manage
their finances better.
Fiona Dempsey, Interim Director of Curriculum and Learner Success
at Belfast Met, said:
“Belfast Met is delighted to be part of the Multiply programme.
In January 2024, the college participated in the delivery of a
pilot programme as part of the Multiply scheme, aimed at
improving numeracy skills to non-native English
speakers.
“Results from this pilot have been very positive, with 89%
achieving their qualification. We look forward to continued
success for students as well as further Multiply programmes in
community and employer settings.”
To find out more about the adult numeracy training opportunities
available through Multiply, visit nidirect(external link opens in
a new window / tab).
