PEOPLE in Keighley and across West Yorkshire have boosted their maths and numeracy skills thanks to a free training programme.

The Government-funded Multiply scheme was launched in the region last year, with the aim of banishing people's fears about working with numbers.

Research estimates that 750,000 people in West Yorkshire – around 52 per cent of adults – are at entry level or below in numeracy.

Training provider Realise, which was appointed by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to deliver the Multiply programme, says nearly 300 people have so far completed a course.

And the figure is expected to reach the milestone 500 mark within weeks.

Sarah Birkinshaw, delivery manager for Realise, says "We are delighted with the progress of the Multiply programme.

"We've seen many people increase their numeracy confidence, which will greatly improve their performance in the workplace as well as increasing their employment opportunities moving forward.

"We work closely with businesses to ensure we provide relevant, bespoke training for their needs.

"It’s a massive benefit to both employee and employer and we look forward to working with more local people in the months to come."

Realise hopes businesses that sign up to the initiative will create ‘numeracy champions’, with the aim of ensuring all current and future employees have access to in-house expertise.

So far, 38 workplace numeracy champions have been trained to provide ongoing support to colleagues.

Also, a further 150 people across West Yorkshire – including Bradford district – have become numeracy ambassadors to help fellow residents with ongoing advice and guidance around working with numbers. Regular meetings are held to bring the ambassadors together.

The scheme is open to any business – regardless of which sector it operates in – that has staff who live in West Yorkshire, are aged 19 and over and don’t have a grade C or 4 in O-level or GCSE maths.

Depending on the requirements of each business, training is provided for between two and 30 hours – either in-person or online.

Any business that allows one of its employees to attend Multiply ambassador or numeracy champion training receives compensation of up to £100 for the person's time spent out of the workplace.

For further information about the programme and to register interest, businesses should visit wybusiness-skills.com/skills/mathssupport

Realise provides skills, education and employment services to more than 7,000 learners and thousands of employers in numerous sectors across the UK every year.