£1 million Multiply project supports adult learners' maths skills in Rotherham

But Rotherham Council was urged to promote the Multiply scheme more because many members had not even heard of it — a year in.

The project is being run by RiDO — RMBC’s regeneration arm — and is open to adults who did not attain the equivalent of at least a C grade at GCSE level.

Multiply was delivered to 534 residents in the first year, with 165 learners progressing to other short courses.

The team presented to Overview and Scrutiny Management Board last week, explaining that Multiply is non-accredited but can go on job-seekers’ CVs.

But scrutiny chair Cllr Maggi Clark said after: “None of us had heard about it.

"We need people to be able to access it.”

RMBC received £194,000 of government cash last year to help establish a team and begin the sessions, with another £408,000 this year and the same in 2024/25.

Simon Moss, assistant director for planning, regeneration and transport, said: “We probably all know people who have struggled with maths in the past for all kinds of different reasons, and it can really hold people back — their confidence, as well as progression in the workplace.

“So it’s really positive to secure funding for the Multiply programme, which was set up last year with the RiDO team.”

Multiply manager Louise Robinson added: “It’s a really unique opportunity for learners in Rotherham.

“It’s not often that we have funding come through that’s for non-accredited learning outcomes.

“We’re really focusing on ensuring the adults who are accessing this course are improving their functional numeracy skills.

“We know that the need is there. In only eight weeks, we managed to get 500 learners engaged, which is quite astounding.

“That really is a credit to our providers, but it just demonstrates how high the need is for this programme.”

Simeon Leach, economic strategy and partnerships manager at the council, said: “One of the points of Multiply is to try and pilot innovative ways of delivering numeracy.”