Skills and employment
Support with English and maths
Multiply
Multiply Courses, helping people across west Cheshire improve their maths skills.
Many people have gaps in their maths skills which can hold them back either in their career or in their everyday life, whether that is managing finances or supporting children with their homework.
Support is available for those aged over 19 who do not have a maths GCSE at Grade C/4. This additional money from the Government Levelling Up Fund will support adults to access flexible and engaging sessions, in a variety of venues which will lead to an increase in confidence in the use of numbers and help to progress on to courses and ultimately gain recognised qualifications.
The Multiply programme provides a unique opportunity to deliver maths support to those who need it, in ways that are more flexible and tailored to the individual’s requirements.
Why are maths skills important?
20 per cent (or over 41,000) of residents in west Cheshire have skills levels below a Level 2 (that is equivalent to GCSE grade C/4). Many residents currently earn less than the local living wage.
Improving mathematical skills and gaining higher qualifications will provide opportunities to progress in work and/or to access higher paid jobs.
Improving maths skills can help with personal budgets and finding ways to manage finances better.
Over 21 per cent of local businesses think that improved maths support would provide additional benefit to their business (West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber).
Who is running the courses?
The Council is working in partnership with a range of organisations to ensure that local communities can access maths support as and when they need. Courses are available through the four Work Zones and the School Hubs.
What is the Inclusive Economy?
Multiply Courses are part of the Council’s vision for an Inclusive Economy; supporting people to develop new skills, get into good jobs with fair wages, and reduce poverty and inequality. The Inclusive Economy aims to make west Cheshire a greener, fairer and stronger place to live, work and play.
How to register for Multiply Courses
If you are interested and want to find out more, including how you could develop your own or your workforce's maths skills:
If you would like to know more about the national Multiply campaign and test your maths skills, visit the Multiply website.
Other maths and English courses
In addition, we run a number of community learning courses which also include support for improving your Maths and English. Our Work Zones, based in Ellesmere Port, Chester, Winsford and Northwich, offer free Maths and English courses, including those leading to achieving a nationally recognised Functional Skills qualification.
Some of these courses are run in conjunction with local colleges. You will be assessed to see what level you are currently working at, and then supported by your tutor to improve step by step.
Grant award scheme
We are offering a grant award scheme to small organisations across the borough in the hope to raise awareness of Multiply funding and how it can benefit people.
The grant scheme aims to offer organisations funding for activities such as:
- Promoting improvement of numeracy skills in adults within their community.
- Providing information within their community on why improving numeracy is important.
- Providing information / signposting people as to what support is available locally to help improve numeracy / everyday maths skills.
This grant award scheme will also consider awarding funding to organisations who can provide events within their communities that support people with numeracy. For example; a local food bank running a session on food budgeting.
Documents:
If you have further questions on this grant please contact: Jodie.ronan@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Important note: This grant scheme closes 10 February 2023.
The tight deadline is due to this element of the funding being linked to our year one Multiply funding allocation.
The Multiply programme will be running until March 2025, so there will be more information shared in the coming months on the activities and events happening across the borough to help adults improve their numeracy skills.
Further information can also be found aon our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) page.
