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HAVE YOU ever struggled to help your child with their maths homework, or been left baffled when using numbers in your day-to-day activities, and want to boost your numeracy confidence? Perhaps you’re keen to get a job that, right now, feels out of reach. Or you’d like to progress in your career but need to brush up on your skills before you can move forward. Finding the confidence to change your career can be tough. But the Government’s Skills for Life programme is there to help you make the most of the abilities you already have, to grow your confidence and boost your career. You might be flexible and adaptable, comfortable working in a team, or a great communicator – all of which could be further developed through adult courses or qualifications and transferred to a new career. When 49-year-old Wayne Hutchinson, above, left the Army in 2017, he wanted a job that would get him out of bed in the morning but he wasn’t sure where to start. “When I left the Army, I wanted to do something different,” says Wayne, who lives in Plymouth. “After working a few different jobs without much direction, I started thinking about getting the qualifications I needed to do more.” Attending an open day at City College Plymouth, Wayne enrolled in fast-track GCSE maths. “I just wanted to see if I could do it,” he says. “Maths is very black and white, and sometimes I can be quite black and white myself, so I thought I'd give it a go. “I was anxious and unsure of what to expect at first, but there were people from all different backgrounds, ages and cultures on the course, and I quickly settled in. I also found that my career had taught me things I needed to succeed, like flexibility, teamwork, motivation, and perseverance when I found things tough.” After passing his GCSE maths with flying colours, Wayne is now studying for his English GCSE, alongside an access course in health, social care and nursing. Next year, he hopes to train as a health and wellbeing practitioner. “I want to do a job that makes a difference, which is what pushes me through,” he says. “Going into an interview with English and maths on your CV – whether as GCSEs or Functional Skills – will give you extra confidence, and if you’re trying to find a new purpose or career in life, those are the building blocks to start with. The first step is having the courage to walk through that door.”

How learning numeracy and other transferable skills could give your career – and your confidence – a boost

Keys to success ... Wayne Hutchinson upped his skills for a new job after leaving the Army

To find the right path for you and unlock a better way ahead, visit skillsforlife.campaign.gov.uk

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What is it? These courses will help you gain the literacy, numeracy and digital skills you need for work and everyday life, and are recognised by employers. What can you learn? If you are aged 19 and over and do not have a GCSE in English or maths at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent), you can study and take GCSEs or Functional Skills Qualifications free of charge. If you have little or no experience using computers and other digital devices, or have few digital skills, you can study an Essential Digital Skills qualification free of charge.

Essential Skills

Which course is right for you?

Here’s a snapshot of just some of the numeracy courses available via Skills for Life

What is it? Multiply offers free courses and support to build confidence with numbers. To qualify, you need to be aged 19 or over and without a maths GCSE at Grade C/4 or above (or its equivalent). Courses start at beginner level and are available on a part-time or intensive basis, as well as drop-in taster sessions. What can you learn? The ability to use numbers is an important skill for work and everyday life. Multiply can support you with everything from managing your money to helping your children with their homework, and it also offers the chance to gain formal maths qualifications.

Multiply

Find the right path for you and unlock a better way ahead at gov.uk/skillsforlife