Blackburn with Darwen drive to boost adult numeracy

Blackburn with Darwen has historically poor mathematical ability levels dating back decades.

Now the council has been awarded £851,021 to tackle the issue over the next three years from the government's levelling up cash pot.

The 'Multiply' initiative will provide free one-to-one tutoring and specialist workshops for adults who have difficulty with numbers.

At Thursday's Blackburn with Darwen Council executive board which authorised the programme the authority's leader Cllr Phil Riley said: "This is incredibly laudable.

"No-one would dispute that. It is a really good initiative. It is a real opportunity and we need to make sure it works."

Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater said: "This is a once in a generation opportunity.

"We need to get this right. This is very, very important."

Under the programme £257,285 will be spent in 2022/23, £296,868 in 2023/24 and £296,868 in 2024/35/

A report to the meeting by adult services boss Cllr Mustafa Desai said: "Multiply is a national Government initiative to support the development of numeracy skills across the borough using a variety of innovative approaches.

"Part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is government funding intended to reduce inequalities between communities as part of the government’s wider 'levelling up' agenda, Multiply was agreed as the first priority.

"People who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages, and better wellbeing.

"Gaining a maths qualification at Level 2 (GCSE Grades A*-C) or equivalent also unlocks the door to progress to higher levels of free training to secure a skilled job in the local economy. "Businesses that develop their employees’ numeracy skills can boost productivity, increase profits, and improve employee retention.

"There are significant areas of Blackburn with Darwen which have very low levels of qualifications amongst adults of working-age.

"The target group for this activity is adults aged 19 plus who have not previously achieved a GCSE Grade 4/C or higher maths qualification.

"Locally, Multiply has the potential to reach a wide range of the hardest to reach and engage over the next three years helping them to improve their functional numeracy skills.

"Developing functional numeracy will help people improve their ability to understand and use maths in daily life, home, and work.

"Whether that be improving household finances, helping children with homework, making more sense of the facts in the media, or improving numeracy skills specific to a line of work.

"To achieve that, Multiply will offer a range of options such as free personal tutoring, digital training and flexible courses that fit around people’s lives and are tailored to specific needs, circumstances, sectors and industries.

"The following outcomes provide the main focus of the initiative:

"Increased number of adults achieving maths qualifications up to, and including Level 2;

"Increased numbers participating in maths qualifications and courses up to, and including Level 2;

"Increased numbers participating, acquiring and evidencing skills through non-qualification provision;

"Improved labour market outcomes; and

"Increased adult numeracy (by supporting learners to improve their understanding and use of maths in their daily lives, at home and at work).

"In Blackburn with Darwen the main areas of focus to be developed are one to one support; non-accredited courses/workshops; qualifications/accredited courses; and employer/employee engagement.

" It aims to provide meaningful participation that boosts people’s ability to understand and use maths in their daily life, such as: improving household finances; helping children with homework; making more sense of the facts in the media; and improving numeracy skills specific to a line of work.

"The Multiply provision in Blackburn with Darwen will provide progression pathways leading to Level 2 qualifications for individuals with a wide range of needs.

"This includes those people who are currently the furthest away from being ready to undertake any qualification.

"Employer engagement will also be key to supporting employers and employees to ensure they have the relevant sector-specific numeracy skills, which in turn can help improve staff retention and productivity."