MATHS skills were put to the test in Touchwood to help shoppers and businesses boost their skills.
To mark National Numeracy Day (May 22) numeracy coaches held a number of interactive sessions for those wanting to find out more about improving their maths skills.
The event was part of the Multiply programme which uses an innovative approach to boost adults’ confidence with numbers and maths.
Over the past two years the government has invested £17million into the scheme which has been rolled out by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The programme offers help individuals with budgeting or simply measuring ingredients for cooking, improving confidence with numbers can help people better manage their finances, improve their career prospects, and equip them to better support their children at school.
The interactive sessions were also aimed at businesses based in Solihull, demonstrating how developing maths skills can have a positive impact on customer service, reduce financial errors, increase employee engagement and productivity and reduce staff turnover.
Simon Homer, a maths tutor at Solihull College and University Centre who delivers Multiply, said: “We are here today to talk to people – it’s important they realise that not being confident in maths is nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“Multiply is completely free and bespoke. The businesses I have spoken to today can see that this is a way to develop their staff – there has been a lot of positive responses to the support we can offer. Without the funding and support from the combined authority we wouldn’t be able to offer anything like this.”
WMCA is also working with seven voluntary sector organisations to deliver outreach and engagement activity across the region, identifying residents that would benefit from free innovative courses and taster sessions to help improve numeracy.
The latest organisations to get involved are FareShare Midlands, Rights and Equality Sandwell and the Colebridge Trust, who have received grants totalling £87,000 to support 400 residents.
Chet Parmer, chief executive at the Colebridge Trust, said, “Multiply is a fantastic opportunity for local people to improve their numeracy and as well as helping residents to improve employment options. The team are looking forward to enabling residents to develop a skill that can help with day-to-day life. Saving on shopping, supporting children with homework and even helping to improve DIY skills”.
More information about Multiply can be found on the WMCA website.
