Hop on board Multiply bus to learn about courses to improve number skills

Hop on board Multiply bus to learn about courses to improve number skills

People are being encouraged find out more about free maths courses on board a specially adapted bus when it stops in Cambridge and Peterborough.

Multiply is a £4 million initiative run by the Combined Authority helping to improve people’s maths skills and number confidence. People are already benefitting from support for things like budgeting and helping children with homework, through to courses helping people to find better jobs and advance careers.

A dedicated bus helping to promote the courses is being run by one of the Multiply training providers Runway Training. It is hoped this innovative bus tour will raise awareness and get even more people signing up to the courses.

Many people lack confidence with numbers, either in daily life or in the workplace and Multiply offers a range of courses which teach at a pace and level that suits the learner.

If you’re aged 19 and over and don’t have maths GCSE at grade C (or equivalent), you can access a wide range of free numeracy activities both in the classroom and in the community, through Multiply to build your confidence with numbers and gain a qualification.

The bus will be stopping at:

October 5: – Beehive Centre Coldhams Ln, Cambridge CB1 3ET, 9.30am-3.30pm

October 6: – Cathedral Arch Cathedral Square, 2 Cathedral Square, Peterborough, 9.30am-3.30pm

People are welcome to board the bus, find out more about the courses and talk to staff. The bus is fully equipped with ten laptops, wi-fi, screens and a coffee machine, and has a relaxed, friendly feel. People can sign up to a course on the day if they want to.

A range of colleges and training providers across the region are offering fun engagement activities, courses and training, which are free for residents. Examples of the upcoming Multiply courses offered by Runway Training are:

Effective Family Budgeting October 11, 5-8pm

Financial Awareness at the workplace  October 19, 5-8pm

Effective Family Budgeting  October 25, 5-8pm

Chair of the Combined Authority Skills Committee, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, said: “The Multiply bus is a fun, accessible way for people to find out about these great free courses to improve number skills and confidence. Getting more familiar with numbers can help in both day-to-day life and in the workplace and these courses are designed especially to offer practical, usable skills. I would encourage everyone to find out more about what a Multiply course can do for them.”

Oliver Trailor, Managing Director at Runway Training, said: “Taking the Multiply bus out is something we’re very excited about. As well as supporting adults to grow their number confidence and numeracy ability, the programme offers the opportunity to develop practical everyday skills, such as: family budgeting and helping children with homework. At Runway we are also able to offer courses specific to Ukrainian learners, both online and face to face. Please do come and see us on the bus to find out more”.

For more information on Multiply in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and courses available, visit: https://www.growthworkswithskills.com/individuals-hub/training-development/multiply-maths-skills-for-life/