Maths in the Workplace

On Thursday 1^st April 2009, Debby Royds, Rebecca Groucott and Gill King attended Ninestiles School in Acocks Green, Birmingham; along with various other volunteers from local Businesses to facilitate in an employment event.

The day started with a brief training overview of the day with Geoff Heaps Education Business Links.

Each helper was given an individual table number to sit at, and the 140 year 9 students (13 to 14 year old) were shown into the room and split into groups of 4 at each table.

Activity one was a get to know you session, each student was asked how they had used numeracy already today; i.e. bus fares, lunches etc

Impact Measures, the students had to complete a tick list before the activity of what understanding they have about Maths at work

i.e.:  I know about a range of different jobs/careers

        I know how maths and number skills can be used in the office

Activity two, I am good at: the students read a list of personal skills and were asked to tick which ones they thought they possessed and provide evidence against three of them to show why they had the skill.

i.e.: I am good at working with young children

       I am good at learning new skills

They then had to work through the sheets emphasising the positive points of their answers.

Activity three the students had to interview two different volunteers to ask pre-set questions

i.e.: Who does your company work for?

      Where is there workplace?

      Where does your visitor use number or maths skills in the Workplace?

The students had to show how they used their skills and had to fill out a sheet on how they used Maths daily at home or at school.

Debby Royds commented about what she thought of her first community event:

‘Just wanted to say a big “Thank you” for inviting me to attend Ninestiles School for the skill day ‘What’s your Job? Importance of Maths in the Workplace’. It was great to be able to see that the students soon worked out that they do use maths everyday of their lives.  I found it really beneficial for my own communication and people skills and for my own personal development’

Left to right: Rebecca Groucott Office Manager Tamworth, Debby Royds Purchase ledger Manager, Gill King Midlands & West Office Manager All work on Midlands Region