Engineering department hosts new Multiply courses in car maintenance and welding

Coleg Menai’s Engineering Department has become one of the first at the college to host new Multiply courses. Numeracy for Living - Multiply, a project led on by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, offers easy access to a wide range of FREE numeracy courses across North Wales.

The ‘Basic Car Maintenance’ course is now underway and got off to a great start with a full cohort. The course offers an introduction to the basics about working safely on your vehicle, including how to check tyre tread, depth and pressures, how to change a wheel and checking for under-bonnet fluids, among other things.

Learners are also invited to bring in their own vehicle to understand how to do Pre-MOT checks. The course not only offers an invaluable opportunity for hands-on experience on the shop floor, but also provides an opportunity to improve on numeracy through day-to-day tasks.

Funded by the UK Government, Multiply is a programme aimed at helping adults improve their confidence with numbers in everyday life.

Also delivered by the Engineering department is the ‘Introduction to Welding’ course. The course gives an insight into the basics of welding, delivering practical advice on health and safety, and measurements as well as hands-on experience of welding. Applications are already being taken for the next Vehicle Maintenance and Welding cohorts.

Sessions are delivered by Owen Hughes and Mark Edwards, both experienced engineering lecturers, at the Llangefni site.

Deputy Programme Area Manager Arron Peel, who has worked closely with the Multiply team, explained: “It’s an amazing opportunity for people to come to college to upskill and become more confident and aware of the basics of vehicles and welding techniques. They use numbers in a real world environment to solve, understanding and learn while gaining valuable experience.”

Alaw Jones, Multiply’s Project Engagement Coordinator for Môn, said: ‘’The Multiply courses are gaining enthusiasm in the community. It's important to be able to reach out to learners who may not have otherwise engaged with the college.

“It's brilliant to be able to offer people an alternative way to upskill on their numeracy, while also giving them a taste of what else we have on offer at the college. We may entice some back into learning, while others may pick up new skills that will assist a career change or progression in the workplace.”

Multiply focuses on flexibility and can work with you in creating bespoke courses in line with the needs of an individual or organisation. Courses are held across our college campuses and in the community.

One-to-one tutoring can also be provided for those looking to obtain a formal qualification in mathematics, such as a GCSE or the Essential Skills Wales Application of Number.

For further details about our exciting upcoming courses and eligibility, click here. You can also email us at multiply@gllm.ac.uk or call 01492 542 338