New Program Aims to Boost Adult Numeracy Skills

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched Multiply, a free programme designed to improve adult numeracy skills.

Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Multiply will provide numeracy training to over 3,000 adults through 115 initiatives delivered by further education colleges, universities, local councils, and community organisations.

Minister Murphy made the announcement following a visit to Belfast Met's Titanic Campus. He emphasised the importance of numeracy skills for employability and overall well-being, noting that many adults in Northern Ireland lack these skills. The 2022 Employer Skills Survey revealed that a lack of basic numerical skills contributed to a quarter of skills-shortage vacancies in the region.

The Minister continued: "Multiply will see thousands of training opportunities made available for adults right across the north. I strongly encourage anyone who feels they would benefit from additional numeracy training to visit nidirect and find out about courses near them." Multiply offers free courses and activities that fit around people's lives, ranging from a few hours to several weeks. The programme is designed to help people looking to boost their career, support family learning, get new qualifications or manage their finances better.

Fiona Dempsey, Interim Director of Curriculum and Learner Success at Belfast Met, said: "Belfast Met is delighted to be part of the Multiply programme. In January 2024, the college participated in the delivery of a pilot programme as part of the Multiply scheme, aimed at improving numeracy skills to non-native English speakers.

"Results from this pilot have been very positive, with 89% achieving their qualification. We look forward to continued success for students as well as further Multiply programmes in community and employer settings."

To find out more about the adult numeracy training opportunities available through Multiply, visit nidirect.