The context

The way local authorities deliver services to their communities is changing. The shift towards a localised approach means that staff will need to be more adept at understanding and interpreting local needs in order to respond effectively. Divesting services to local groups and businesses will call for a greater need to understand finance as staff play a greater role in local economic planning. Finally, the move to greater transparency also means that local authority staff in contact with the public need to understand and talk with confidence about the wide range of financial information in the public domain.

This is against a background of low achievement in numeracy during the last ten years of the Skills for Life Strategy. More needs to be done to encourage adults in the workplace to improve numeracy, and there is a continued government commitment set out in Skills for Sustainable Growth (2010): “We will continue to support those who left compulsory education without basic literacy and numeracy skills through providing free training through the further education and skills system, including in the workplace.”

Many local authorities are already committed to enabling their staff to achieve a Level 2 qualification in numeracy.

Equivalent levels of numeracy and example skills

Adult Numeracy Entry Levels (1–3)

Adult Numeracy Level 1

Adult Numeracy Level 2

GCSE A* – C

For example, complete a stock control sheet or a simple timesheet

GCSE D–G For example, understand a payslip

For example, select and compare different prices and measurements

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