Adults looking to improve their numeracy skills are set to
benefit from a £270 million investment in new courses, helping to
level up opportunities for more people to progress and get good,
well-paid jobs.
Around 17 million adults in
England – half of the working-age population – have the
numeracy skills of primary school children. Poor numeracy skills
can hold people back from having the confidence to get on in life
and into work.
Those who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in
employment, have higher wages, and better wellbeing.
Local councils and mayoral combined authorities across England
will receive the cash boost ahead of the rollout of the
government’s flagship Multiply programme this
autumn.
Multiply will offer adults who do not already have a GCSE grade
C/4 or higher in Maths, and need to improve their numeracy, free
flexible courses that fit around their lives. Courses are
expected to be available this autumn in person or online, at work
or at home, and either on a part time or intensive basis. These
courses will equip adults across the UK with the numeracy skills
they need to fulfil their potential.
Employers who could benefit from boosting their workforce’s
skills will be able to work with their Local Authority and
training providers to deliver Maths GCSEs or work-ready
Functional Skills Qualifications as well as design and deliver
bespoke programmes for their workforce – at no cost to them.
Minister for Skills said:
“As the son of a maths teacher, I know that, with the right
support, everyone can do maths. That is why making sure everyone
has good maths and numeracy skills is central to the mission of
this government.
“Poor numeracy holds people back in their lives and careers.
Multiply will be a launchpad for people to progress into better
paid jobs that will help our economy grow.
“This £270 million of government funding will unlock potential
and level up opportunities for people across the country. We will
give this money to local areas based on need so they can find the
right solutions for their communities.”
There is already help available for adults to improve maths and
numeracy skills including fully funded maths courses up to
GCSE to enable people to get the maths skills they need.
Multiply will build on this by offering a range of free training
options helping people to build their confidence with maths in
their everyday and working lives.
Businesses that develop their employees’ numeracy skills can also
boost productivity, increase profits and improve employee
retention. Research shows
that sectors with a high proportion of workers with basic or
advanced numeracy skills have experienced the most rapid growth
in employment over the last decade.
The funding announced today for England is part of a £2.6 billion
investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is
designed to help spread opportunity and level up the country. Up
to £559 million in total from Fund will be invested across the UK
to support the delivery of the government’s Multiply programme.
Note to Editors
- Local areas across the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
will also receive funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to
deliver Multiply and boost adult numeracy for their communities.
