Multiplying opportunity – how learning maths as an adult in Essex is adding up
Ensuring that everyone can make the most of their potential means ensuring that people have the basic skills that will help them take advantage of any opportunity that comes their way.
Upskilling isn’t just about equipping people with highly technical expertise. It’s also about providing basic skills such as maths and literacy that can be applied in every part of their lives.
For many reasons, some people miss out on learning these skills at school, struggling to see the relevance of what they are learning, especially when it comes to maths. They reach adulthood unable to work with numbers, either in their everyday or working lives. That can create huge obstacles as they struggle with household finances, helping their own children at school or getting and progressing in a job. It can be a significant barrier to opportunity throughout their lives.
In Essex, adult numeracy is lower than the national average. That is a barrier for those individuals but also a barrier for the broader growth prospects of the county. Essex County Council are meeting the challenge head on with a free maths programme, Multiply, that is aimed at preventing age being a barrier to opportunity. It is available to residents aged 19 and over who do not have a level 2 qualification in Maths (GSCE/O Level) C or above. Many of those who participate in the scheme have been out of education for some time.
Delivered through a network of providers, Multiply encourages adult learners to revisit the subject in a way that is different from the way they were taught at school and to better understand how maths can be applied in real-life situations at home and at work. They can learn flexibly, making progress at their own pace, with courses for everyone, from beginners through to more advanced offers like GCSE maths. The programme is available at further education colleges, adult community learning, local libraries and other community venues across the county.
The Multiply programme has already offered training to more than 3,000 adults across Essex. Phase Two will offer more than 4,000 new opportunities through to March 2025, focusing on real life scenarios like getting qualifications and helping children with their homework. Importantly, at least 800 of the latest opportunities are for businesses, to help them upskill their workforces.
It’s a great example of how a local council can lean into the issues that pose barriers for the people who live there and give them the right tools to become more confident with numbers. It adds up to better opportunities for local people and better opportunities for local employers.
