The Multiply Project at Truro and Penwith College helped over 600 adults across Cornwall gain vital numeracy skills.
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The Multiply Project at Truro and Penwith College has successfully concluded, leaving a profound and lasting impact on hundreds of adults across Cornwall.
The initiative saw the College engage with over 600 adults, with 306 completing substantive numeracy courses of two hours or more, empowering them with essential maths skills for everyday life, career progression, and increased confidence.
Angie Powell, Project Coordinator for Multiply at Truro and Penwith College, reflected:
“The Multiply Project has been instrumental in addressing numeracy needs across a broad range of communities. By working with local employers, primary schools, and community groups, we have created a supportive network that ensures the continued development of maths skills in Cornwall.”
A key achievement of the project has been the development of the ‘Move On’ course in collaboration with the NHS. This course was created to help those seeking to progress within the healthcare sector by preparing them for a Functional Skills Maths exam, a qualification necessary for many NHS employees to advance their careers.
Kathryn Etheredge, an NHS student who attended a ‘Move On with Multiply’ session, commented:
“This course has opened doors for me to apply for other roles in the NHS and I’ve gained a sense of confidence that I never had before!”
Truro and Penwith College will continue to offer this vital course beyond the project’s conclusion to ensure ongoing support for NHS staff and healthcare aspirants.
The Multiply Project also established a strong partnership with Konnect Communities, delivering courses that boosted numeracy skills in areas such as money management, budgeting, cooking on benefits, and fitness.
These sessions not only benefited the participants but also equipped Konnect Communities’ staff with the skills needed to continue delivering these valuable interventions long-term.
Beyond these collaborations, the Multiply Project worked with several other key groups to enhance numeracy across the region:
- Primary School Staff: The project provided training to primary school staff, enabling them to better support pupils with their maths education and create a stronger foundation for young learners.
- Staff Within the College: College staff were also trained to better support and embed maths skills across various departments, ensuring a more integrated approach to numeracy throughout the College.
- Individuals Seeking Job Skills: The project supported individuals looking to refresh or enhance their maths skills to boost their confidence in applying for jobs, particularly in sectors where maths qualifications are essential.
- Future Chef Managers: A finance session was developed for aspiring chef managers, helping them strengthen their numeracy skills in budgeting and cost management, which are critical for running successful kitchens.
- Community Drop-Ins: Multiply also facilitated community drop-in sessions, providing accessible and informal opportunities for individuals to improve their numeracy in a welcoming environment.
- Medicine Management: The project worked with healthcare and nursing students to improve their numeracy skills for accurate medication dosages, adjustments, and patient safety in healthcare for their Medicine Modules.
- Move On: Intensive, skill-building sessions are designed to accelerate your understanding and proficiency in functional maths skills, with a rolling programme of 3 sessions: Number, Geometry and Data and the opportunity to sit a FS Maths exam.
In addition, the project supported parents and carers, helping them to assist their children with maths homework and take the fear out of maths at home, turning it into a fun and engaging subject for families.
Hayley McKinstry, Director of Partnerships & Apprenticeships at Truro and Penwith College, added:
“We are incredibly proud of the success and impact of the Multiply Project. Our partnerships with the NHS, Konnect Communities, and the work we have done with local schools and community groups have helped ensure that vital numeracy skills are reaching those who need them most. As the project draws to a close, we remain committed to continuing this essential provision and ensuring that adults across Cornwall can access the maths skills they need for personal and professional growth.”
With the Multiply Project now complete, Truro and Penwith College is committed to continuing its numeracy provision, ensuring that adults across Cornwall have access to the skills and confidence needed to thrive.
For more information about ‘Move On’ courses, contact Truro and Penwith College’s Future Skills Team on 01872 308000 or email ptinfo@truro-penwith.ac.uk
