Over the past two and a half years, Leicester’s Fashion Hub has been at the forefront of an innovative partnership delivering the pioneering Multiply course – a programme designed to weave essential numeracy skills directly into the fabric of the fashion and textiles industry.
With 120 learners enrolled and 101 successfully completing the programme, Multiply has demonstrated how maths skills can be brought to life through real-world, industry-relevant applications. From mastering cutting ratios and garment measurements to improving financial literacy and production cost calculations, learners have developed the confidence and competence to thrive in their professional and personal lives.
The success of Multiply has not gone unnoticed. Building on its proven impact, Leicester City Council has confirmed continued funding for 2025/26, ensuring even more residents can benefit from this hands-on approach to learning.
A new YouTube video released by Leicester Adult Education, Skills for Life Multiply, and Leicester City Council highlights the voices behind the numbers, featuring inspiring interviews with those who have transformed their relationship with maths through the Multiply programme. Participants, including several from the Fashion Hub, speak passionately about how the course has not only strengthened their numeracy but also enhanced their confidence, independence, and even their ability to support others – both in the workplace and at home.
To view the YouTube Multiply video tap here
For many, Multiply has been far more than a maths course; it’s been a gateway to personal empowerment and professional growth. As one participant shared, “I never thought I’d enjoy learning maths again – but applying it to fashion made it click. Now I understand how numbers underpin everything we do.”
The Fashion Hub’s Multiply initiative continues to exemplify how creative, industry-based learning can make maths accessible, relevant, and inspiring proving that when education is stitched into real experience, it can truly change lives.