Mid and East Antrim Borough Council partners with Department for the Economy to enhance adult numeracy skills

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is excited to announce its collaboration with the Department for the Economy on the Multiply NI Programme, aimed at enhancing the numeracy skills of the adult population.

The initiative forms a crucial part of the UK Government’s agenda, with funding provided through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which seeks to deliver over £2.6 billion of local investment by March 2025.

The Multiply NI Programme is a comprehensive effort, delivered by Further Education Colleges, Universities and Local Councils in collaboration with the community and voluntary sector. It aims to bolster the numeracy competence and confidence of over 3,000 adults, opening doors for further training and development.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Mayor Alderman Beth Adger MBE emphasised the significance of the initiative:

“Numeracy is a vital skill and the £5.9 million Multiply programme will boost the competence and confidence of over 3,000 adults and in turn enhance their opportunities for further training and development.

“This initiative offers a unique opportunity for adults in Mid and East Antrim to enhance their numeracy skills in a supportive and engaging environment, ultimately contributing to their personal and professional growth. We hope that, through a collaborative and fun approach, we can maximise the impact of these interventions for MEA residents.”

The Multiply programme aligns with Economy Minister Conor Murphy’s vision for a regionally balanced economy that provides good jobs, increased productivity and delivers on decarbonisation. By enhancing numeracy skills, the programme aims to support individuals in securing better employment opportunities and contributing to the overall economic growth of the region.

Key themes of the Multiply funding include:

•             Bring Your Grown Up

•             Numeracy Bootcamps

•             Numeracy for Mature Learners

•             Industry-led Numeracy Interventions

•             Maths for Speakers of Other Languages

The funding period for the Multiply programme is 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 and the programme is open to MEA residents 19+ who have not attained Grade C or equivalent in Maths.

To date, approval has been given for various engaging and practical programmes including Personal Development Programmes, Hill Walking Skills, Energy Efficient Cooking, Getting to Grips with Numeracy & IT, DIY, Sewing & Design, Gardening & Landscaping Bootcamps, Numeracy Fun Days, Toddler Cook It and Numeracy via Gaming.

For those interested in attending any of the FREE initiatives or seeking more information, please contact multiply@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.