Multiply programme launches across Worcestershire

The Multiply programme offers residents over 19, who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in Maths or equivalent, access to free flexible courses that fit around their lives to help build confidence with numbers, gain a qualification, and to develop or refresh their numeracy skills.



The free courses and initiatives are available to local residents on either a part time or intensive basis and will be offered in flexible settings such as local libraries, dedicated learning centres and online.

Thanks to a £2.6million investment of allocated funding from the Department for Education, Worcestershire County Council aim to boost opportunities for residents to progress and secure well paid jobs with improved learning provision locally.



Part of this provision includes creating courses for people who can’t apply for certain jobs because of a lack of numeracy skills and supporting people to use numeracy with a view to budgeting personal finances and managing the cost of living.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to launch the Multiply Programme across Worcestershire, helping residents to develop their skills for their work, gain skills to get into employment, or perhaps improve their career progression or change their career path. Alongside the Multiply programme we’ll also continue to support residents who want to be able to better manage their personal finances in this challenging time. Already we are starting courses designed to help people, showing them how to utilise things like smartphones to save money or budget using apps and websites, or online courses for parents so they can gain the skills needed to help their children with their numeracy schoolwork.

Figures tell us that people who improve their numeracy skills are shown to be 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 of primary school children. Poor numeracy skills can hold people back from having the confidence to get on in life and into work. This programme will be crucial to our communities, and will hopefully encourage those who feel they would benefit from improving their numeracy skills to come forward and take that first step. It also strengthens our key working relationships with Education and Employment support providers across Worcestershire.” 

 Councillor Kevin Bentley, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s People and Places Board, said:

“We are pleased to see the Government working closely with councils and devolved authorities to get the Multiply programme up and running at speed, as they know how best to deliver this much-needed investment and tailor it to local need. They are trusted leaders of place with first-hand experience of delivering adult and community learning, as well as other council services which residents rely on, with the broadest reach into the voluntary, community and training sectors, housing associations and local employers. Local government is best placed to engage residents who would benefit from increasing their numeracy skills to get on in life and work.”

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.  

Worcestershire County Council was awarded funding for the programme from the government’s £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, to offer tailored courses that meet the needs of the local community and as part of the rollout of the government’s flagship Multiply programme.

 To receive more information on Multiply courses you can email multiply@worcestershire.gov.uk or visit the Courses webpage of the County Council website.