Numeracy skills set to get a boost with free online maths course from The Open University

The Open University in Northern Ireland is offering adults a fantastic opportunity to strengthen their math skills with a free ‘Everyday Maths 1 (Northern Ireland)’ course. Hosted on OpenLearn, the course is designed to help adults build confidence in essential numeracy or refresh their maths skills in a practical and engaging way. 

The Open University in Northern Ireland received £145,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to develop two online maths courses – Everyday Maths 1 & 2. Course two will be launched in January 2025. This funding is part of a £5.9m Multiply fund, managed by the Department for the Economy in the north of Ireland, aimed at enhancing adult numeracy skills across the region. 

Everyday Maths 1 (Northern Ireland) covers a wide range of topics such as basic arithmetic, fractions, percentages, and measurements, all of which are crucial for navigating daily tasks. Whether you're budgeting at home, managing finances at work, or supporting your children's education, this course will add value to your everyday life. 

The best part? It’s free and available online, allowing you to learn at your own pace, anytime, anywhere. This makes it ideal for those balancing work, family, and other commitments. The course is open to learners of all ages and backgrounds, making it accessible to anyone who wants to sharpen their math skills. 

 John D’Arcy, Director of The Open University in Northern Ireland, emphasised the importance of making education accessible: 
"We are thrilled to bring this free maths course to Northern Ireland. Thanks to government funding, we're helping people in the local community build their confidence with numeracy, a key skill that impacts so many areas of life. Whether it’s managing household budgets, understanding utility bills, or enhancing job prospects, this course provides valuable knowledge and practical skills." 

With a commitment of 48 hours of learning, you’ll complete the course feeling more confident and capable in using mathematics in everyday situations. Participants will also receive a statement of participation and a digital badge upon completion, giving formal recognition of their achievements. 

This initiative from The Open University in Northern Ireland, supported by significant UK government funding, demonstrates a commitment to providing accessible education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. 

 Economy Minister, Conor Murphy said: 

 “Confidence with numbers is a key employability skill. Sadly, too many adults in the north lack, or feel they lack, numeracy skills and this in turn impacts their career prospects and overall wellbeing. Indeed the 2022 Employer Skills Survey highlighted that a lack of basic numerical skills contributed to a quarter of skills-shortage vacancies here. 

“Multiply will see thousands of training opportunities made available for adults right across the north. I strongly encourage anyone who feels they would benefit from additional numeracy training to visit nidirect and find out about courses near them.” 

Interested? Start your journey today and transform your math skills with the Everyday Maths 1 course (Northern Ireland). For more information or to enrol, visit The Open University's website.