Adults across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly who want to improve their maths skills to multiply their job opportunities can sign up for free courses thanks to a new £2.5 million programme aimed at boosting opportunities for residents.

The initiative gives residents access to free courses designed to cover skills that can be used in the workplace or to secure better-paid jobs, courses for parents or carers wanting to get better at maths so they can help their children, as well as courses to help people get better at managing their money.

“Multiply” will offer adults who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in maths or equivalent, free flexible courses to improve their numeracy skills.

Residents in Cornwall can access courses through three providers: Cornwall College Group, Cornwall Council Adult Education Service and Truro and Penwith College.

Residents on the Isles of Scilly will also benefit from online courses delivered by mainland partners in Cornwall as well as one to one or small group support to those who lack the digital skills or confidence to access such courses by themselves.

All courses are free and available to on a part-time, intensive or flexible basis.

People who improve their skills with numbers are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages, and better well-being, say course managers.

Cornwall Council has been awarded the cash from the Government’s £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund to offer tailored courses that meet the needs of the local community, as part of the roll-out of the government’s flagship Multiply programme.

Councillor Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: “By bringing the opportunities into the community, with tailored courses where everyone can feel comfortable, we can boost confidence and help residents improve their prospects of getting a better job.”

Kate Wills, group deputy principal of curriculum and quality at The Cornwall College Group, said: “Maths is at the heart of so many careers and opportunities.”

Charlotte Styles, programme team leader for future skills at Truro and Penwith College said: “Our Multiply team is looking forward to working with business partners, community organisations and parents and carers on an exciting range of workshops and courses that will make a real difference both to how adults engage with maths and to their training and career opportunities.”  

To find out more about how Multiply is being delivered, visit: www.cornwall.gov.uk/business-trading-and-licences/economic-development/cornwall-and-isles-of-scilly-good-growth-fund/multiply-free-numeracy-courses or go to www.cornwall.gov.uk and search “multiply”