WORKERS across West Midlands can boost their prospects with free maths skills courses.
The flexible courses will be available to those who are in work to help them to progress with their current employer or move on to better paid jobs under the new Multiply scheme.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been awarded £16.7million to fund online and face to face courses, to help people in work improve their numeracy, secure better paid jobs and help manage cost of living challenges.
The grant, from the Department for Education’s Multiply investment programme, will be used to work with local authorities, colleges, training providers, universities and employers to develop a range of courses and initiatives which will be launched early next year.
The programme will include intensive seminars and evening and weekend sessions to fit around people’s existing work commitments.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Thanks to our Adult Education Budget, we’re already supporting thousands of people of all ages to improve their maths through further education courses, apprenticeships and training schemes.
“The Multiply programme will further support our efforts tackle our regional economic challenges by improving people’s ability to use maths in their day-to-day lives, boosting skills and qualifications and meeting the needs of employers.”
Coun George Duggins, WMCA portfolio lead for productivity and skills and leader of Coventry City Council added: “Improving maths skills is essential if we are to close the skills gap, improve our productivity as a region and grow our economy.
“It’s also great for individuals, not only to increase their chances of securing a well-paid job or promotion, but also to give added confidence in dealing with day-to-day concerns such as managing our personal finances.”
