Adults across Medway who want to improve their maths skills can sign up for free courses and activities thanks to a £1.4million funding boost.
The government has given councils across the country, including Medway, funding to offer free Multiply courses to help residents improve their maths and numeracy skills. The funding aims to boost opportunities for more people to progress and secure well paid jobs.
Multiply will offer adults who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in maths or equivalent, and need to improve their numeracy, free flexible courses that fit around their lives.
We will soon be offering free tutoring, digital training and flexible courses as well as ways to improve their maths skills through activities including gardening and cooking. Courses start from Saturday, 19 November, with more due to be added shortly.
The Medway Adult Education courses will help boost residents’ abilities to use maths in their daily live, at home and at work.
People who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages and better wellbeing. Around 17 million adults in England – half of the working-age population – have the numeracy skills expected of primary school children. Poor numeracy skills can hold people back from having the confidence to get on in life and into work.
Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Cllr Howard Doe, said: “I am pleased that we have received government funding to help adults across Medway improve their maths skills. Whether residents are looking to help their children with their homework, want to upskill, get back into work or find a new job our fantastic Medway Adult Education Team will have a course that suits you. I would encourage residents to find out more about everything MAE has to offer.”
Local employers will also benefit from the scheme, with courses and activities tailored to a particular area or jobs at no cost to them offered to their employees to help boost their numeracy skills. Businesses that develop their employees’ numeracy skills can also boost productivity, increase profits and improve employee retention.
Research also 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.
We have recently opened a new Learning Skills and Employment Hub on the top floor of Britton Farm in Gillingham town centre. The hub, which is run by Medway Adult Education, focuses on supporting adults to retrain, upskill and access employment opportunities. Courses are tailored towards helping residents gain qualifications for highly skilled jobs which are being created across Medway.
Find out more about Medway Adult Education
Sign up for a Multiply course
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