Multiply Programme

‘Multiply’ is a new programme aiming to share up to £559 million across the UK to help transform the lives of adults by improving their functional numeracy skills through initiatives such as free personal tutoring, digital training, and flexible courses, workshops, bootcamps and events.

The Department for the Economy is leading on the delivery of the Multiply programme in the north of Ireland.  The programme will support the Economic Vision for a regionally balanced economy with good jobs and increased productivity which delivers on decarbonisation.

The Multiply programme is being delivered by local councils, further education colleges and universities in collaboration with the community and voluntary sector.

What is Multiply? 

Why is Numeracy Important?

What is my current numeracy skill level?

Who is eligible?

Why should I take part?

What is Multiply?

In October 2021, the UK Government announced “Multiply”, a new scheme to boost numeracy skills, as part of the broader Shared Prosperity Programme.

The Department for the Economy is leading on the delivery of the Multiply programme in the north of Ireland. The programme will support the Economic Vision for a regionally balanced economy with good jobs and increased productivity which delivers on decarbonisation.

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

The government’s programme aims to help transform the lives of adults across the UK who struggle with basic numeracy through a range of accredited and non-accredited initiatives.

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Why is Numeracy Important?

Numeracy is the 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 stats and facts in the media, or improving numeracy skills specific to your line of work.

People who improve their numeracy skills are more likely to be in employment, have higher wages, and better wellbeing, and will be more able to progress to higher levels of free training to secure a skilled job in our economy.

Multiply projects target Adults (19+) who do not hold GCSE Maths at level C or above.

What is my current numeracy skill level?

Please take this short National Numeracy Challenge quiz on how confident you feel about Maths.

Who is eligible?

Adults aged 19 and over who do not already have a GCSE at grade C (or equivalent) in maths are eligible for courses, workshops, drop in days and bootcamps.

Why should I take part?

Our new initiatives will help you gain numeracy skills to help in everyday life. They will teach practical skills relevant to shopping on a budget and family budgeting, exercise and nutrition, financial planning and debt management along with providing opportunities to gain accredited qualifications in numeracy related topics.