Mulitply programme boosts maths confidence for Greater Manchester residents

A programme aimed at increasing the number of Greater Manchester adults gaining numeracy qualifications is helping to boost the confidence of city-region residents who have struggled with maths.

Level 2 maths qualifications delivered through Greater Manchester’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) were bolstered earlier this year by enhanced funding through the £14 million Multiply programme.

GMCA manages the city-region’s Multiply pot, which is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is dedicated to providing learning opportunities to support local residents aged 19+ who do not have a Level 2 Maths qualification to increase their confidence with numbers and support them onto higher skills.

The Enhanced Level 2 Support allows providers to offer additional resources such as extra tuition time, individual support sessions, alternative exam venues and bespoke help for exam anxiety and stress.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Greater Manchester’s Lead for Technical Education and Skills said:

“Little confidence in numeracy skills can prevent people from progressing and achieving their personal or professional goals.

“Nationally, we know that achievement of Level 2 maths is lower than other qualifications and a key aim of Multiply is to boost this attainment.

“We already have a robust learning offer in Greater Manchester through our devolved adult education budget, so we made the decision to ring-fence some of our Multiply funding to boost existing provision, going above and beyond what AEB already funds to ensure a responsive, wraparound offer for our residents.

“It’s great news that this approach has been successful and that we’re in a position to extend it, ensuring even more local people can benefit.”

Among those who have benefited from the scheme is Levi, aged 60 from South Manchester. Levi struggled with memory difficulties in school, which led to a negative learning experience and a phobia of the subject. He said of his experience with the enhanced support with maths:

“My worry about maths was gradually eased by the course tutor and the one-to-one lessons I accessed. I enjoyed coming to my classes as the teacher was also very patient, kind and helpful.

“Support was put in place so I felt able to speak up when I did not understand, which isn’t something I could do in school.

“As part of the course, I was shown how to make a maths ‘memory book’, which helped me with revision. It was fantastic because I have all the key information and formulae noted down in one place.”

Greater Manchester’s Multiply programme also offers brand new learning opportunities delivered by The Growth Company, focusing on homework help and personal budgeting, providing people with the necessary skills to get on in work and life.

GMCA has also awarded Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) Multiply funding to deliver training to those who teach maths to brush up their techniques and ensure up-to-date, quality delivery.

Specific Multiply opportunities for care leavers, ex-offenders and employers are also being implemented and will be live in 2024.