Training and development
Basic maths and numeracy skills really can make a difference every day. They can help us to problem-solve, calculate discounts, and make informed decisions.
Multiply is a government funded programme to help adults improve their numeracy skills. You can find out more about the national programme on GOV.UK.
Who can benefit?
In Barnsley, many more people can benefit from improving their skills and gaining a Level 2 qualification, which is free if you don't already have it.
If you’re aged 19 and over and don’t have maths GCSE at grade C (or equivalent), you can access free numeracy courses to build your confidence with numbers and gain a qualification.
Good numeracy skills may unlock job opportunities and lead to higher wages or prepare you for further study. They also help in everyday life, such as helping children with homework and budgeting money. Find out how you can explore maths and build your skills:
Practical Money: an interactive workshop for transforming your finances
Not everyone finds math easy. We've designed a practical activity that tackles the headache of working out bills, managing money and makes it easy to understand. You can build your skills and abilities on a short taster session. It's all about budgeting for your everyday food. It’s really easy and only takes about 20 minutes.
If you enjoy the taster session, you can book onto the course. It's not like school, you'll learn to use money in real life situations.
The course and the taster session are fully funded for Barnsley residents over the age of 19, that don't have a maths GSCE (grade C/4 or above) or equivalent. Find out more and book your place on the Future Steps website or by contacting hello@future-steps.co.uk.
Barnsley ITS
Independent Training Services Ltd. (ITS), part of Barnsley College, has launched a range of free, government-funded courses. It aims to help adults improve their numeracy skills.
Numeracy skills are essential in all aspects of life. They unlock job opportunities, help you to remain in control of your finances or prepare you for further study.
The fully funded training courses are available to Barnsley residents that are aged 19, that don't have a maths GSCE (grade C/4 or above) or equivalent. The short courses can help you to build your confidence and abilities around:
- time management
- financial awareness and money management
- household numeracy skills
- introduction to accounting
- diet planning and fitness
- fitting a kitchen
- high street deals
- credit, debt and bills
Find out more and book your place on a session on the Barnsley College website.
Skills UK
Skills UK offers a range of free and engaging courses to help you improve your numeracy skills in everyday contexts. Whether you want to boost your confidence, manage your money better, or prepare for further education, we have something for you. Our courses are suitable for adults who don't have a maths GCSE (grade C/4 or above) or equivalent. The courses are all delivered by our friendly and experienced tutors. You can choose from our one to two hour engagement sessions:
- Boost your numeracy skills with bingo or darts
- Master Your Money: Everyday numeracy course
Find out more and book your place on a session by calling 07495 989959 or emailing contact@skills-uk.co.uk. You can also apply online for the Skills-UK Multiply course.
Hear from people who have taken part
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I didn’t do overly well in school as I've got dyslexia. But learning maths and getting hands on with it suited my way of learning. Putting my skills to use straight away has been a better way to learn.
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Maths has been a big part of the course, but you don’t feel like you're doing maths at all. Most of the people here sounded like numbers weren’t their strong point. But everyone's cracking on well and doing a great job.
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I know I'd like to work in the NHS but, without my GCSEs this will be difficult. I wasn’t sure how to start improving my skills, so I found out there was help available. As a full-time mum I needed a flexible learning course and the chance to build my confidence.
What else can I learn?
There are lots of different sessions you can try. These are some of our more recent ones.
A learner using a drill to make a planter.
A learner and their dog following a map at a navigation and nature session.
A learner laughing while measuring ingredients at a self-employment workshop.
Close up of a learner aiming at the target at an archery session.