UK businesses called upon to help turn around the nation’s numeracy skills
KPMG and National Numeracy are calling on the UK business community to take action ahead of National Numeracy Day, which falls on the 15th May this year. The campaign aims to help thousands of workers improve their numeracy skills and ensure that workforces have the necessary number skills to thrive in an increasingly challenging economic climate.
This follows the success of the inaugural National Numeracy Day in 2018, which saw more than 100 organisations joining together to reach the millions of people across the country who struggle with numeracy. As a direct result, more than 25,000 people signed up to test their skills and to start their journey towards greater confidence and skills with numbers.
Every business runs on numbers, and the potential benefits of improved numeracy levels are huge. One in four UK employers acknowledge that the standards of numeracy amongst young work applicants is not satisfactoryiii and a recent reportiv highlighted that only 26 per cent of undergraduates have the numeracy levels identified as necessary for daily life and work.
Melanie Richards, deputy chair KPMG UK and founding business supporter of National Numeracy Day, said: “We’re incredibly proud that the first UK National Numeracy Day helped start a much-needed conversation about the importance of numeracy skills. We know that better confidence and greater ability with numbers can unlock significant value for individuals, businesses and the UK economy. It is vital that the business community continue to work together this year to build momentum on this critical issue.”
To address this, National Numeracy Day 2019 aims to bring together even more organisations on the 15th May to raise awareness of the importance of numeracy amongst their employees, suppliers and customers and crucially, to encourage those that need it to brush up on their skills using simple online learning tools. For a second year running, National Numeracy’s strategic partner, TP ICAP, the world’s largest interdealer broker, is pledging its support of National Numeracy Day and has urged other businesses to do the same.
Rebecca Shelley, Group Head of Corporate Affairs at TP ICAP, said: “Numeracy is an essential skill for everyone who works at TP ICAP and we are delighted to be supporting National Numeracy Day for a second year. Low levels of numeracy are linked to unemployment, low wages and even poor health. Through our support so far, we have seen the way empowering people with better numeracy changes lives for the better, contributes to less stressful daily living, and gives people the confidence to use numbers to get ahead in life. Collectively there’s potential for us to go so much further.”
National Numeracy Day is run by UK charity National Numeracy. As well as TP ICAP, organisations including Santander, Experian, NHS Health Education England, Provident Financial Group, UfI Charitable Trust, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government, have already joined founder supporter KPMG as lead supporters, with many more looking to sign-up. The campaign will also receive high profile backing from Martin Lewis, Bobby Seagull, Andy Haldane and Rachel Riley.
Mike Ellicock, Chief Executive of National Numeracy, said: “The fantastic support we received for National Numeracy Day last year showed us that there is a real appetite for change when it comes to tackling the nation’s negative attitudes towards maths and numbers. Although tackling a long-standing anxiety around numeracy can seem daunting, there are simple steps that everyone can take to improve, and businesses have a fundamental role to play in helping us achieve this.”
There are a range of ways in which businesses and other organisations can get involved with National Numeracy Day:
- Encourage employees, suppliers and customers to take the National Numeracy Challenge, using the free online numeracy assessment tool: www.numeracyday.com
- Take action by committing to support staff with numeracy skills, as part of either Learning & Development or Training programmes
- For more information about taking part and to access further free resources, visit: www.numeracyday.com
Businesses can still sign up to become an official supporter of National Numeracy Day and help ensure that more people benefit from knowing how to use numbers well. Email enquiries@nationalnumeracy.org.uk to find out how.
