Course overview

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority and is only available to residents living within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. Maths for Work and Study is a practical essential skills course at Level 1 designed to strengthen everyday mathematical understanding for employment and further study. The programme develops confidence in using numbers, measures and data in real-life situations. Learners will build skills in calculations with whole numbers, fractions, decimals and percentages, as well as working with time, money, ratio, area and interpreting charts and tables. Sessions are contextualised to workplace and study scenarios such as budgeting, understanding wages, measuring accurately, and analysing information. The course supports learners to improve accuracy, reasoning and problem-solving skills in a supportive environment.

Course description

Maths for Work and Study is a 24-hour non-regulated essential skills course designed to develop practical mathematical knowledge and problem-solving skills for work and further learning.

The course focuses on strengthening understanding across key areas of mathematics, including number operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, measures, area, time and data interpretation. Learners will practise calculating accurately, estimating results, converting between units, and selecting appropriate methods to solve problems.

Mathematical skills are applied to realistic contexts such as calculating wages and overtime, managing personal budgets, comparing costs, measuring materials, working with scale, interpreting workplace charts, and analysing numerical information. Learners will also develop the ability to check their work, explain their methods and approach multi-step problems logically.

Throughout the course, learners receive structured practice, feedback and opportunities to reflect on their progress. The emphasis is on building both competence and confidence so that learners can transfer their mathematical skills to employment settings, vocational training, or further study.

The programme provides a strong foundation for progression and supports learners in becoming more independent and accurate in their use of maths.

What financial support is available?

We don't want anything to stand in your way when it comes to bringing Adult learning within reach so if you need anything to support you to achieve your goals then speak to one of our education experts during your enrolment journey. Most of our courses are government funded but if you don't qualify or need alternative financial help to access them then let us know.

What other support is available?

All of our digital content, teaching and learning activities and assessments are designed to be accessible so if you need any additional support you can discuss this with the education experts during your enrolment journey and we will do all we can to make sure you have optimal access.

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