www.courses4forces.co.uk
TM
SPRING 2013
COURSES
4 FORCES
In association with the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS)
Put yourself in the
picture with your ELC
Distributed to all MoD Units by BFPO under contract
ÊÀi>ÞÊi˜œÞi`Ê̅iÊVœÕÀÃi
and found the Ìi>V…iÀÃ
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Checkout our website at www.cycle-systems-academy.co.uk
or call 020ÇÊ60nÊ2577 for a chat about what we can offer you and
to arrange a visit to our state of the art workshop in London, N1.
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APPROVED BY MoD
IN SUPPORT OF
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PROVIDER NUMBER
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Contents
Contents
4
10
16
20
26
34
36
38
42
44
46
Enhanced learning credits – what they are and how to claim them
48
54
Course notes
TM
Distance learning
Your questions answered
Using learning credits with individual resettlement training costs
View from the Ministry
The NQF, QCF and SCQF
Enhanced learning credits: dos and don’ts
Vocational qualifications
Approved providers and preferred suppliers – the differences
The ELC claims process for those who are no longer in the Armed Forces
Exemption from taxation for payments made to Service leavers under the
Enhanced Learning Credits scheme
u r le a r n ing
Te ll us a b o u t yo
fe at u re in
ac t iv it ie s a n d
s!
Courses4Force
ays ke en to he ar
rces we are al w
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ac ti vi ties ou
at io n to yo ur
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,
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Index to advertisers
COURSES
4 FORCES
Courses 4 Forces and the Courses 4 Forces
logo are registered trade marks of
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View from the Ministry
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information at the time of going to press.
The Publishers can take no responsibility for inaccuracies due to changes after that date, nor can
they accept responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a
result of any material in this publication. Whilst every care is taken with artwork or film supplies,
the Publishers cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. The opinions expressed are
those of the individual authors and not necessarily of the Publishers. All advertisements are
accepted only on the grounds that they comply with the terms of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968
and all other relevant legislation. Inclusion of an advertisement cannot be construed as an
endorsement for the advertiser or the product by the Publishers, their employees or agents. The
Publishers cannot accept responsibility for any transaction between readers and advertisers.
© All rights reserved. Not to be resold, lent, hired-out or otherwise reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means without the prior permission of the Publisher.
Courses 4 Forces and Bulldog Publishing Limited are registered under the Data Protection Act
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Page 34
The NQF, QCF and SCQF
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Spring 2013
3
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Enhanced learning credits – what they are and how to claim them
ENHANCED LEARNING CREDITS
– what they are and how to claim them
(For a full explanation of ELC see Joint
Service Publication (JSP) 898, Part 4,
Chapter 3)
Length of service required
nhanced learning credits (ELC) are a very
attractive addition to the MoD’s
allowances, and users must ensure that they
follow the letter and spirit of the regulations
that govern them. In outline, individuals join
the scheme, complete some years of service
and then draw down cash to support
approved learning.
Before being allowed to make an ELC claim
at the lower level (currently up to £1,000), an
individual must have at least four years’
service. Before being allowed a claim at the
higher rate (currently up to £2,000), they
must have completed eight years’ service.
This service period must be complete
before starting the learning for which ELC
will be claimed, and the latest date for
making a claim is ten years after leaving the
Services.
Joining
ELC awards
Those wishing to join the scheme must be in
the Armed Forces. All recruits can register
during their first year of service, with a
further registration window between the
eight‐year and the eight‐and‐a‐half‐year
point; forms are available from education
staffs, learning and education centres, and
the ELC Administration Service (ELCAS)
website at www.enhancedlearning
credits.co.uk. Registration date in the first 12
months will be the actual date the form is
submitted. Registration date in the post‐
eight‐year window will be the dated from the
eight‐year service point.
People already serving at 1 April 2003
who registered by 1 April 2004 will have their
eligible service reckoned from 1 April 2000 or
their date of enlistment, whichever is the
later. People who joined on or after 1 April
2003 and joined the scheme during their first
year of service will have their eligible service
reckoned from their date of enlistment. No
service before 1 April 2000 can be taken into
account under the scheme.
ELC may be claimed for a maximum of three
separate years, which do not have to run
consecutively, and may also be a
combination of both higher and lower levels.
They may also be claimed for the same
learning course if it continues for over a year
or for different learning purposes for each
year. If one course combines with others for
a single learning purpose they can be
combined to claim ELC.
Only one ELC claim can be made in any
one financial year (April to March).
Individuals must make a contribution to
their learning of at least 20% of the cost. The
ELC element includes VAT but excludes
travel, accommodation, food, books and
materials.
The learning purpose must benefit the
Service and advance the individual’s
development plans. Claimants must plan
their personal development, often best
demonstrated through a personal
development record. The individual
resettlement training costs (IRTC) grant may
be used in addition to ELC to pay towards
E
4
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
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the cost of the same learning activity where
the activity fully meets the ELC scheme
criteria (i.e. the pursuit of a nationally
recognised qualification at level 3 and above
delivered by an ELC approved provider).
Learning must be cost‐effective and
authorised, and the provider must be an
approved provider. Documentary
proof that learning has taken
place will be needed for claims.
Continued on page 8
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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Spring 2013
5
Sgt Wayne Watson’s
Training Story
Sgt Wayne Watson
“I enjoyed my time in the service, but leaving is an opportunity,
make sure you take all you can get from that opportunity and
invest in the right training to take you forward.”
Background
Background
Current
employmentstatus
status
Current employment
How old are you?
How old are you?
I am 45.
What are you doing now?
What are you doing now?
I am now employed by National House
I am now employed by National House- Building Council (NHBC) as their
Building Council (NHBC) as their
Information Security Manager.
I am 45.
When
When did
did you
youjoin
jointhe
theForces
forces and
andwhen
when
did you leave?
did you leave?
II joined
joined in
theactually
in March
March 1986
1986and
andII left
don’t
Forces in August 2012.
leave until 24 Aug 2012 – I am now in
my Terminal
resettlement
leave and
What
did you and
specialise
in?
have already been employed and started
Imy
started
in ‘86 as an MT driver but later
new role.
became a Royal Air Force Policeman, I
What did you
specialiseSecurity
in?
specialized
in Protective
and
I started
in ‘86 (Information
as an MT driver
but later
Cyber
Defence
Security).
became a Royal Air Force Policeman,
When
did youinregister
for your
I specialised
Protective
Security and
BSI training?
Cyber Defence (Information Security).
I registered for the course in
When did2012.
you register for your
February
BSI training?
What course did you take?
I registered
for the
course
in February 2012.
ISO/IEC
27001
Lead
Auditor.
What course did you take?
ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor.
Information Security Manager.
How long have you been doing it?
longthe
have
been
doing
IHow
started
roleyou
with
NHBC
on it?
I6started
the
role
with
NHBC
on
6 June 2012.
June 2012.
Did your
your BSI
BSI training
traininghelp
helpyou
youto
togain
gainthe
the
Did
position?
position?
Yes, NHBC
NHBC isare
working
toward
working
toward
ISO/IEC
ISO/IECcompliance
27001 compliance
and my BSI
27001
and my BSI
TXDOL¿FDWLRQDVD,62,(&/HDG
qualification as a ISO/IEC 27001 Lead
Auditor
experience
Auditor coupled
coupled to
to my MOD experience
in
in Information
InformationSecurity
Securityand
andother
other
TXDOL¿FDWLRQVPDGHPHVWDQGRXWIURPWKH
qualifications made me stand out
rest
therest
IT crowd.
fromofthe
of the IT crowd.
Does
Does your
your BSI
BSI training
traininghelp
helpyou
you
in
your
day
to
day
work?
in your day to day work?
I refer to it every day, I am currently
I refer to it every day, I am currently
working on updating and revising the
working on updating and revising the
Information Security Management System
Information Security Management
and policies to build toward ISO/IEC 27001
System and policies to build toward
FRPSOLDQFHDQGSRVVLEOHFHUWL¿FDWLRQ
ISO/IEC the
27001
and possible
Without
BSIcompliance
training I would
have very
certifi
cation.
Without
the
BSI
training
little knowledge of the standard.
I would have very little knowledge of
the standard.
About
course
About the
the course
:KDWOHG\RXWRZDQWWR¿QGRXWPRUH
What led you to want to find out more
about
about this
thiscourse?
course?
,ZDQWHGWRDGGUHFRJQL]HGTXDOL¿FDWLRQV
I wanted to add recognised qualifications
to
to my
my experience,
experience, you
you have
have to
to prove
provethat
that
you are capable of doing the job and
you are capable of doing the job and having
having a great CV is only the start, you
a great CV is only the start, you have to
have to have evidence to back up
have evidence to back up that experience.
that experience.
How did you go about finding your course?
+RZGLG\RXJRDERXW¿QGLQJ\RXUFRXUVH"
I already had the ISO/IEC 27001 course
I already had the ISO/IEC 27001 course
in mind, so I needed to find a provider
LQPLQGVR,QHHGHGWR¿QGDSURYLGHU,
I couldtrust,
trust,I asked
I askedpeople
peopleI knew
I knewthat
that
could
worked
in
the
same
type
of
roles
that
worked in the same type of roles that I
I wasinterested
interested
advice.
was
in in
forfor
advice.
Why did
did you
you choose
chooseBSI
BSItotoprovide
provideyour
Why
your
course?
course?
I have a friend who
who works
works in
in compliance
compliance
with
Sky
TV,
they
use
BSI
as
their
with Sky
use BSI as their preferred
preferred
trainer
and he recommended
trainer and
he recommended
them to
them
to me, another
friend
who
nowfor
me, another
friend who
now
works
works
for BAE also
Systems
alsoBSI
didcourse
the BSIand
BAE Systems
did the
course
and highly recommended
So
highly recommended
BSI. So I hadBSI.
personal
Irecommendations
had personal recommendations
from
from people I trust,
people I trust, you can’t go wrong
you can’t go wrong with that.
with that.
What specifically did you like
:KDWVSHFL¿FDOO\GLG\RXOLNHDERXWWKH
about the course?
course?
The
trainer was
was excellent,
excellent, very
very
The trainer
knowledgeable
and
professional
knowledgeable and professional with bags
with
bags of experience
in the
subject.the
of
experience
in the subject.
Although
Although
theintensive
training at
was
training
was
nointensive
point did at
I
feel
underdid
pressure,
like Ipressure,
have withlike
some
no point
I feel under
other
providers
the past,
and
I havetraining
with some
other in
training
providers
the
style
of
training
suited
my
learning
in the past, and the style of training
style.
was
great
and
added
to
suitedThe
my venue
learning
style.
The
venue
was
the
relaxed
feeling
of
the
course.
great and added to the relaxed feeling
of the course.
:KDWTXDOL¿FDWLRQGLG\RXJDLQ"
What qualification did you gain?
,DPQRZDTXDOL¿HG,62,(&/HDG
I am now a qualified ISO/IEC 27001
$XGLWRUZKLFKDGGHGWRP\&HUWL¿HG
Lead Auditor, which added to my Certified
Information Systems Auditor and
Information Systems Auditor and Certified
&HUWL¿HG,QIRUPDWLRQ6HFXULW\0DQDJHU
Information Security Manager qualifications
TXDOL¿FDWLRQVDQGP\VHUYLFHH[SHULHQFH
and my service experience in Information
in Information Security make me a strong
Security make
me a strongwithin
candidate
for
candidate
for employment
a
employment
within
a
number
of
Information
number of Information Security and
Security androles.
Compliance roles.
Compliance
ELCAS Funding
Funding
ELCAS
How easy
easy was
was itit to
to gain
gainfunding
funding
How
for the
the course?
course?
for
Very easy,
easy, you
you have
have to
to keep
keep your
your local
local
Very
Trainingand
anddevelopment
developmentpeople
peopleononside
training
and
will help
BSI can
sidethey
and they
will you
helpthrough,
you through,
also
help
you
out
as
they
have
done
BSI can also help you out as they it
all
before.
have
done it all before.
:KDWZHUH\RXU¿UVWVWHSV
What were your first steps
to
to obtaining
obtainingfunding?
funding?
Finding the right course and identifying the
Finding the right course and identifying
best provider to suit you, then I started
the best provider to suit you, then I started
WR¿OOLQWKHIRUPVZLWKWKHKHOSRIWKH
to fill in the
forms, with
the help of the
Training
Development
Centre!
Training Development Centre!
Advice
Advice
What would you say to those
contemplating
career
outside
the MOD?
What would youa say
to those
contemplating
Invest
in outside
yourself!the
Make
sure you use
a career
MOD?
your
and if you
are
entitled
to your
InvestELCAS
in yourself!
Make
sure
you use
it,
use all
your
Individual
Resettlement
ELCAS
and
if you
are entitled
to it, use all
Training
Costs (IRTC),
make sure
you get
your Individual
Resettlement
Training
all you are entitled to and choose the right
Costs (IRTC), make sure you get all you
training to suit your next chosen career. I
are entitled to and choose the right training
even earmarked some of my gratuity on
to suit your chosen second career. I even
training and it paid off. I landed a great
earmarked
of my
onthe
training
job
before Isome
had left
thegratuity
RAF, with
and
it
paid
off.
I
landed
a
great
job
before
new role comes fresh challenges. I have
to
Iwork
had left
the
RAF,
with
the
new
role
comes
hard, but the job pays well and with
fresh
challenges.
I have
to work
hard,
the
MOD
pension to
top up
the pay,
my
family
better
than
wethe
have
ever
but thewill
jobbepays
welloffand
with
MOD
been.
I enjoyed
mythe
time
in my
the family
service, but
pension
to top up
pay,
leaving
is an opportunity,
will be better
off than wemake
have sure
ever you
been.
take
all you
that opportunity
I enjoyed
mycan
timeget
in from
the service,
but leaving
and invest in the right training to take
is an opportunity, make sure you take all
you forward.
you can get from that opportunity and invest
in the right training to take you forward.
BSI
BSI
Kitemark Court
Kitemark
Court
Davy Avenue
Davy
Avenue
Knowlhill
Knowlhill
Milton Keynes
Milton
Keynes
MK5 8PP
MK5 8PP
T: +44 845 086 9000
T: +44 845 086 9000
E:
training@bsigroup.com
E: training@bsigroup.com
bsigroup.com/c4fm2013
bsigroup.co.uk/training
Lead
Sgt Watson
Watson isispresented
presentedwith
with
his auditor
Lead Auditor
certificate by Natasha Bambridge, Head of UK
&HUWL¿FDWHE\1DWDVKD%DPEULGJH+HDGRI8.
Commercial Training
Commercial
TrainingBSI
BSI
What advice
advice would
wouldyou
yougive
giveabout
about
What
training in
in general?
general?
training
Decide on
on your
your next
next career,
career,something
something
Decide
completely
completelydifferent,
different,or
orstick
stickwith
withwhat
what
you
you know?
know? Whichever
Whicheveryou
youdecide
decideget
getthe
the
FLYLOLDQUHFRJQL]HGTXDOL¿FDWLRQVWRVXSSRUW
civilian recognised qualifications to support
the
the wealth
wealth of
of experience
experiencethat
thatyou
youhave
have
gained by being in the Forces.
gained by being in the forces.
What
What advice
advice would
wouldyou
yougive
giveabout
aboutthis
this
course
in
particular?
course in particular?
If you are interested in Compliance and
If you are interested in Compliance and
Information Security which is after all an
Information Security which is after all
ever expanding role, this course is a must.
an ever expanding role, this course is a
Very soon any company without ISO/IEC
must. Very soon any company without
FHUWL¿FDWLRQZLOO¿QGLWYHU\GLI¿FXOW
ISO/IEC
27001with
certification
will find itIf
to
do business
other companies.
very
difficult
to
do
business
withbelt
other
you have this course under your
you
companies,
you have
this course
will
be a veryif useful
addition
to many
forward
thinking
companies
under your
belt you
will be awho
veryare
KHDGHGWRZDUGFHUWL¿FDWLRQ
useful addition to many forward
thinking companies who are headed
Would you recommend BSI
toward certification.
as a training provider?
The
BSIyou
training
suited my
Would
recommend
BSIstyle of
learning,
the
course
and
as a training provider? training materials
were
welltraining
put together
the support
The BSI
suitedand
my style
from
the
training
advisor
who
took my
of learning, the course and training
¿UVWFDOODQGVXSSRUWHGPHULJKWWKURXJK
materials were well put together and
to the conclusion of the course was great
the support from the training advisor
(thanks Matt). The course instructor was
who took my first call and supported
professional and knowledgeable, and
me training
right through
to the conclusion
of
his
style created
a relaxed but
the
course
was
great
(thanks
Matt).
productive training environment (thanks
The course
was professional
Bill).
I wouldinstructor
highly recommend
BSI
and knowledgeable,
and his
training
training
to anyone, much
as my
friends
where
happy to
recommended
BSI to me.
style created
a relaxed
but productive
training environment (thanks Bill).
I would highly recommend BSI training
to anyone, much as my friends where
happy to recommended BSI to me.
www.courses4forces.co.uk
Enhanced learning credits – what they are and how to claim them
Tax
Learning purposes
Most work‐related learning undertaken
during service will not be treated as income
or a taxable benefit. With effect from
September 2012, ELC payments to Service
leavers (SL) were also exempted from tax.
ELC are available for full‐time or part‐time
study for a qualification at level 3 or above,
as defined in the directory British
Qualifications, with an organisation on the
approved providers list held by ELCAS. This
might include:
●
foundation degrees
●
postgraduate qualifications
●
other academic qualifications
●
professional self‐development
●
accreditation of prior learning
●
vocational training
●
registration and accreditation fees
●
sports qualifications
●
overseas qualifications
●
resettlement training (during last two
years of service only).
Advice
Before deciding on learning, people should
consider:
●
its relevance to their personal
development plan
●
their ability to undertake the course
●
likely disruptions from service
requirements
●
the flexibility of the study method.
Individuals must discuss their plans with
their line manager and education adviser
before making any financial commitment.
Withdrawal once payment has been
made due to foreseeable postings/Service
activities will usually result in no further
claims being allowed. If unexpected Service
or compassionate reasons cause withdrawal,
ELC may be carried forward for two years or
a refund may be possible and an extra ELC
authorised. All cases will be judged on their
merits. The cancellation and reinstatement
process is published in JSP 898 Part 4
Chapter 3. It is supplemented by detailed
guidance from an individual’s single‐Service
education authority.
ELC may not be claimed for:
Service training
●
civilian accredited Service training
(unless at least 30 hours extra work is
involved, together with a separate exam,
assessment or assignment)
●
membership fees
●
books and materials
●
normal Service sport and adventurous
training.
●
“Think about what
fits your personal
development plan”
Next steps
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Read JSP 898, Part 4, Chapter 3.
Register for the scheme in accordance
with published guidelines.
Think about what fits your personal
development plan and your future.
Check that the course you wish to enrol
on is allowable under the rules.
Get the necessary approval to enrol.
Talk with your line manager and
education/learning staff.
Start learning, to make the most of your
life.
By the end of January 2013,
327,367 people had registered
with the ELC scheme and 75,615
claims had been made, to the
value of more than £96 million.
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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Distance learning
Distance learning
What is distance learning?
istance learning allows people to study when and where they want,
rather than on the same site as the institution that is providing the
education (as is the case with ‘traditional’ study). As well as ‘distance
learning’, you are likely to come across terms such as ‘open learning’
and ‘distance supported learning’. In truth, all these types of learning
are likely to overlap, but, as a rough rule of thumb, open learning
includes more face‐to‐face classes than distance learning, while the
word ‘supported’ usually indicates that there are tutors and physical
material available to help students.
Distance learning ranges from courses of even as little as a few
hours, to degrees and postgraduate qualifications that may involve
several years’ study. So‐called ‘short courses’ typically last days or
weeks as opposed to months or years. Even those subjects with a
strong practical element often have modules that are appropriate for
distance learning.
Readers of a certain age are sure to remember the days of having to
wait until the early hours of the morning to catch a bearded,
bespectacled boffin fronting a grainy, black‐and‐white Open
University broadcast on BBC2. With the technology available today,
that’s a thing very firmly of the past. These days, learning materials and
support may be provided by either one or a combination of the
following means: books, pamphlets, telephone, fax, video, DVD, CD‐
ROM, email, the internet, and via pocket PC (mobile learning), where
D
ASK YOURSELF …
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Does the course lead to the
qualification I want/need?
Will the course train me to
the level required (by me
or a potential employer)?
Can I view the training
materials first, before
committing? Or chat to
previous learners?
Do I have to pass an entry
test?
How much support is
available? And in what
form?
Can the whole course be
done at a distance, or is it
necessary to attend
training sessions at specific
times?
How much time do I need
to set aside for study?
How much will the course
cost?
●
●
●
●
●
Will there be an exam at
the end?
Is the provider inspected or
accredited by an
independent body?
If I choose to study for a
degree, do I have to
complete it in three years?
Will I receive any special
consideration for study
problems as a result of
operational duties?
Is the course available via
learning tools that I will be
able to access? (For
example, if you are in an
environment where IT
availability is limited, you
should select a course
where it is possible to use
paper and telephone, at
least for a limited period.)
APL AND CATS
When choosing a course, two terms to be aware of are
accreditation of prior learning (APL) and the Credit
Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). Both allow a
teaching organisation to give credit to:
●
learning obtained elsewhere, and
●
relevant experience at work in the subject concerned.
You should always ask about APL and CATS, to avoid repeating
things you have already done.
the student accesses course content stored on a mobile device or
through a wireless server. Some providers now even offer course
elements via the iTunes Store, which can be downloaded free of charge.
Many courses make extensive use of the web. Others involve tutor
groups, which may meet regularly, and summer camps of a few weeks’
duration for classroom education on top of regular, directed
coursework at a distance.
Convenience is the key
The great thing about distance learning – especially for those in the
Armed Forces, who may be posted anywhere in the world – is that it puts
you in control of your education. Once you have chosen and enrolled on
your course (see below), you are free to study when, where – and, these
days, how – you choose, so you can fit your education around your
current work and/or family commitments.
Continued on page 12
10
Spring 2013
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Established in 2004, Excellentia’s training team consists of some of the best
Close Protection instructors in the country.
All our instructors have recent operational and instructional experience in one of the
following world renowned protection units:
• Royal Military Police Close Protection Unit
• Metropolitan Police Protection Command
• UKSF
Our 17 Day Executive Close Protection Course
is based in London to maximise students’
understanding of the capital.
95% of the UK's Close Protection work
is within London.
Why train elsewhere?
Excellentia also conduct other courses and
have placed their newly qualified CPOs,
either on their first operational tasking or
continuous operational taskings.
Qualifications offered
BTEC Level 3 in Close Protection (Full and 1 day APL course)
BTEC Level 3 First Person on Scene – Intermediate
BTEC Level 3 Advanced Driving Course
HSE First Aid at Work
European Firearms Courses
British Forces Resettlement Service Events
Come and see us in 2013
31st January – Oakham
7th March – Aldershot
18th April – Edinburgh
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Distance learning
THE OPEN UNIVERSITY
The OU offers courses at different
levels. Its beginners‐level courses
are called ‘Openings’; then the
difficulty increases through levels
1 to 3 (first degree) to
postgraduate level. For
professional development, it also
offers a range of CPD and
postgraduate qualifications.
The OU is working with all three
Services to provide in‐Service
qualifications through a
combination of accredited
military education, training,
experience and directed distance
learning. More than 4,000 Service
personnel and their dependants
are currently taking advantage of
the special relationship between
the OU and the Armed Forces.
Here are just some of the benefits
available:
you only pay UK prices,
wherever your duties take
you
●
discounts are available on
some courses (e.g. any OUBS
MBA course) and the OU has
a financial assistance scheme
that may also be able to help
you
●
the OU is ELC approved and
you are eligible for support
for your OU costs regardless
of what you study
●
the OU’s flexibility means
that you can fit your studies
around shifts and postings,
even when on active duty.
The OU has a special team
devoted to assisting Armed
Forces learners. To find out more,
contact the OU direct (see ‘Key
contacts’).
●
You might be an early bird, who works best first thing in the
morning; or you might be a night owl, who finds the evenings the
best time to study successfully – it’s entirely up to you. And of course,
in these days of laptops and mobile learning, you can set up and
study at a location of your choice – home or work, at a cafe, even
while travelling. Importantly, too, you can work at your own pace –
there are no term‐times to be rigidly stuck to (although you may
have to sit exams, and these may take place only at specific times).
To sum up, distance study enables you take responsibility for
your own learning. However, although you will be in control, a good
provider will offer support – so you will most certainly not be alone,
left completely to your own devices, but will have back‐up and
assistance as and when you require it. There are also likely to be self‐
checks and interim tests to help ensure that you are on target, and
tutor‐marked assessments to provide valuable feedback, as well as a
telephone helpline to call or an address to email for advice if you get
stuck.
How do I choose a course and provider?
Although necessarily influenced by market forces (i.e. demand from
learners), a vast array of courses are available in distance learning
form. And because the choice of provider is huge, too, you are more
than likely to be able to track down the course that you are looking
for. This may be something that will give you a general grounding or
background in a particular subject or area (that you may go on to
study in more depth later), or you might be looking to focus on
something very specific – such as the entrance examinations of a
particular professional body.
Both higher education (HE) and further education (FE) courses
can be taken via distance learning. The difference between is not
always clear‐cut, and in some cases (e.g. foundation degrees), both
are involved. Many qualifications are modular; this means that they
can be earned by learners completing modules, often of their own
choosing; credits gained from a selection of such courses can be
added together to gain degrees and other HE qualifications. It is not
always necessary to have an undergraduate degree to gain a master’s;
neither is it necessary to have one in order to achieve many
professional qualifications.
Increasingly, Service people will take distance learning modules
as part of the training that produces their career progression. So, you
could be studying with a view to gaining qualifications that will help
you while in the Forces or when you leave, or just for personal
interest – out of enthusiasm for a particular subject.
But how do you know who is a good provider and who is not?
And exactly which course do you need? All this choice can prove
confusing! In the accompanying box, there is a checklist that should
help you.
Finding out more
Service education and training staff, both within the learner’s unit
and specialists, often provide the best advice about what
individuals want and what it is actually possible for them to
achieve. They can also provide access to the funding available to
support study, and recommend the subjects that you should be
encouraged to pursue – particularly with a view to a second career
when leaving the Services. Increasing numbers of Forces learning
and education centres and personal learning advisers also have
access to e‐learning opportunities.
Information about courses is also available from learndirect
(see ‘Key contacts’). It, too, runs its own courses and learning
centres with tutor support, where students can undertake online
learning, and which use ICT systems to enable users to access
learning.
Other information sources include direct from the ‘horse’s
mouth’ (somebody who has first‐hand experience of a course or a
training provider), written prospectuses and, of course, the
internet. The website of the Open and Distance Learning Quality
Council (ODL QC) is particularly helpful (see ‘Key contacts’).
Who are the learning providers?
Many learning providers are neither HE nor FE institutions,
although they may have links of varying strengths with one or more
colleges or universities. Many companies run large training
departments, and there are also many commercial organisations
that provide training to paying clients. Much of the training such
providers deliver is of excellent quality and targeted carefully at the
needs of civilian employers in a specific market sector. Many
commercial businesses offering training use the premises of
academic institutions to deliver courses, and may have contracts
with employment agencies to help their students find work.
THE NATIONAL EXTENSION COLLEGE
The NEC offers a ‘Forces learning
scheme’. It is a provider of
GCSEs, A‐levels and a host of
other specialist qualifications. It
is registered as a Standard
Learning Credit (SLC) scheme
and Enhanced Learning Credit
(ELC) scheme provider, and is
happy to advise on the discounts
available to Forces personnel.
Here are just some of the
benefits to those in the Services:
●
distance learning works
almost as well in Afghanistan
or Iraq as it does in the
isolation of Catterick Camp
●
you can enrol at any time,
study at your own pace, in a
learning centre or in the
field, and finish the courses
when you want
●
if you serve with the Royal
Navy/Royal Marines or the
Merchant Navy, you can
enrol for your NEC course
with the Marine Society; the
fee you pay will be lower,
and the Marine Society, as an
examination centre, can
enter you for your
examinations – and can even
arrange for you to sit your
exams at sea or ashore,
wherever you find yourself in
the world.
To find out more, contact the
NEC direct (see ‘Key contacts’).
Continued on page 14
12
Spring 2013
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
lp
he h ss
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ca ou ro
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Distance learning
You are likely to have heard of some of the bigger distance
learning organisations, such as the Open University (OU) and the
National Extension College (NEC), both of which offer various
discounts to Armed Forces personnel (see boxes). However, as
mentioned above, there are many other providers out there, too,
also offering a wide range of courses, some with discounts for
Service people (ask your education and training adviser for further
information). To see a list of ODL QC‐accredited learning
providers, visit its website and click on the ‘Accredited Providers’
link.
Funding
Course costs vary enormously, and it is very important to discover
all the costs of a course before embarking on it, including hidden
extras like revision courses, exam fees, materials used and
‘subscriptions’. Those in the Armed Forces should also recognise
that they should expect to pay for at least some of their personal
development – including distance learning courses – themselves.
After all, they will benefit in the long term, and civilians, likewise,
certainly expect to at least make a contribution to their own
learning.
Service people are eligible for grants and some other financial
support when undertaking distance learning. Chief among these are
enhanced learning credits (ELC) and standard learning credits
(SLC). There may even be other funding routes that education,
learning and training staffs may be able to access, and travel and
subsistence allowances may be available if the training has some
military value. Selected learning providers (such as the OU and the
NEC – see above) also offer discounts to Service personnel, so do
check with them direct.
14
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
KEY CONTACTS
learndirect, PO Box 900, Leicester LE1 6XJ Tel: 0800 101 901
Website: www.learndirect.co.uk Twitter: @ufi_learndirect
Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODL QC), 79
Barnfield Wood Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 6ST
Tel: 020 8658 8337 Website: www.odlqc.org.uk
National Extension College (NEC), The Michael Young Centre,
Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8HN Tel: 0800 3892839
Website: www.nec.ac.uk/courses Twitter: @NEC_home_study
Open University (OU), PO Box 197, Milton Keynes MK7 6BJ
Tel: 0845 300 6090 Website: www.open.ac.uk
Twitter: @openuniversity
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Your
questions
answered
Q: When can I start claiming ELC?
A: If you have registered on the enhanced
learning credits (ELC) scheme and have
been serving since 1 April 2000, you have
been entitled to start claiming at the
£1,000 level from 1 April 2004 and at the
£2,000 level from 1 April 2008. In all
other cases, registered personnel may
make claims at the £1,000 level four years
after enlistment, and at the £2,000 level
eight years after enlistment.
Q: Joint Service Publication (JSP) 898,
Part 4, Chapter 3, states that the
course must be of a level 3 or above.
What does level 3 mean?
A: That the course is on the National
Qualifications Framework/Qualifications
and Credit Framework at this level; it
could be an A‐level, or an NVQ 3 or
equivalent award. You may also use ELC
to fund anything above this, like
university modules or nationally
recognised diplomas.
Q: How do I know if the course I want to
do is level 3 or above?
A: For some courses, this will be very
obvious. The qualifications offered by
institutes, and some specialist courses,
may not be so clear. You should ask the
training provider to confirm the level
with the awarding body that accredits
the course. Most qualifications can be
found in the directory British
Qualifications or on the Register of
Regulated Qualifications website at
http://register.ofqual.gov.uk.
Q: Can I use ELC for any course?
A: No. If you are still serving, the course
must be at level 3 or above, and it must
16
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
be with an approved provider listed on
the dedicated ELC website. The website
address is www.enhancedlearning
credits.co.uk. The course must also be of
benefit to the Service, to meet tax office
guidelines.
Q: What does JSP 898 mean by
‘vocational courses’?
A: These are courses that are job or skill
specific, like NVQs that have to be
completed in the workplace or through a
college with work placements. You are
assessed on the job, and build up a
portfolio of evidence showing that you
are competent in the role. Often, they
can be very hands‐on courses, like
plumbing, welding, heating and
ventilating courses, which lead to the
qualifications required for very specific
trades.
Q: Can I use ELC for a sports course?
A: If you are planning on taking an
instructor or coaching course, it could be
permissible but, if the course can be
taken through local tri‐Service
arrangements, it will not be allowed. You
would also have to present evidence as to
how you would use the sports
qualification to the benefit of the Service
and how you are currently involved in
that sport. The training provider would
need to be on the approved list of
providers (see below).
Q: What do you mean by resettlement
phase?
A: After an individual has completed their
mandatory Service Resettlement
interview and fully registered for
resettlement on JPA.
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Q: Why does learning have to be ‘of
benefit’ to the Service?
A: HM Revenue & Customs rules are that
any money provided for personal
development has to be of immediate
benefit to the Armed Forces and the
individual, or the MoD would be liable
for tax.
Q: If I do a module for £450 can I use the
rest of my £1,000 or £2,000 later in the
same financial year for a different
course?
A: No. ELC is a ‘one‐hit’ claim per year.
Q: Can I use Standard Learning Credits
(SLC) in the same financial year that I
use ELC?
A: Yes, if it is not for the same course of
study.
Q: Where can I find the list of approved
training providers?
A: You can search the ELCAS website by
name to see if the provider has already
been approved. You can also check
through the whole list.
Q: If a company is on the approved
training provider list, can I do any of
its courses?
A: No, only the courses that meet the criteria
in JSP 898 Part 4, Chapter 3 – the course
must be at level 3 and above, and listed on
the ELCAS site as being approved.
Q: If I left the Service before 1 April 2008
and had not used my ELC, will I be
able to claim £1,000 per year or
£2,000?
A: It would remain at the £1,000 level. You
must accumulate eight years of
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Your questions answered
qualifying service before being eligible
for the higher tier of ELC. This can be
achieved only while serving.
Q: Can I secure my place on a course and
pay a deposit before starting the
claims process?
A: As a general rule, you should not part
with any money without approval from
your education staff, or a letter from
ELCAS giving you a ‘claim authorisation
note’. If a deposit is required on booking,
any payment made prior to the issue of a
claim authorisation note is at your
personal risk and must not exceed the
limit of your personal contribution.
Q: I am working in an overseas location
that has no education/learning staff
anywhere near it. Who can I get to
authorise my claim?
A: Each single Service has made
arrangements to help people serving
overseas who do not have the normal
education facilities available. Your unit
administrative staff will have the
necessary details.
Q: I am not going to be able to see my
education/learning staff face to face
as I am on an operational tour. What
can I do?
A: You should telephone your usual
education/learning centre to discuss your
position.
Q: Can I get my line manager or unit
staff to authorise my claim?
A: No. Line managers and unit staff are
eligible to sign registration forms and
they must also sign claim forms. Final
authorisation must be given by an
education/learning officer whose name is
on the ELCAS database. If in doubt,
check at your education/learning centre.
Q: What do I need to take with me when I
go to see the education/learning staff?
A: All the information about the course you
wish to study. Also take a training and
development plan (from your PDR) and a
claim form signed by your line manager.
Q: Do I pay up front and claim the
money back?
A: No. Refer to the flow chart on the back of
JSP 898 Part 4, Chapter 3. ELC pay up to
80% of course costs to a maximum of
either £1,000 or £2,000. The individual
pays the rest up front, but only once they
have a claim authorisation note from
ELCAS.
@Courses4Forces
Q: When I have left the Service, who do I
contact for a claim form?
A: Refer to the website for a claim form.
Claims will be authorised by single
Services.
Q: What will happen if I get deployed
during my course and I can’t continue
with it?
A: You need to inform ELCAS as soon as
possible. You must get a letter from your
line manager explaining why you cannot
continue, and forward this to ELCAS at
the time of withdrawal.
Q: When I want to take a course, do I
have to discuss it with my line
manager?
A: Yes, you need to be supported by your
line manager. They will be best placed to
know if work commitments are likely to
allow that level of study. A good time to
discuss this is during your appraisal,
when drawing up your training and
development plan. You also need their
signature on the claim form before an
interview with education/learning staff.
Q: My location and discharge date have
changed since I registered for ELC. Do
I need to contact ELCAS to inform
them?
A: No. They can make changes to your
details when you make a claim. You do,
however, need to inform them if you
leave the Service and later rejoin. You can
get a form from the website to record
periods of interrupted service.
Q: I have not yet received confirmation
of acceptance from ELCAS that I am
registered. What should I do?
A: Telephone the ELCAS helpline on 0845
300 5179, and give your name and service
number to confirm if you are registered.
Q: Can I use SLC to pay for an exam
relating to the course of study being
funded by ELC?
A: No.
Q: Can I use my Individual Resettlement
Training Costs (IRTC) and ELC to fund
the same course of study leading to
achievement of a nationally
recognised qualification?
A: Yes. For courses that started on or after 1
September 2008, it is permissible to use
IRTC with ELC or SLC (but not both) to
fund a learning activity during
resettlement if, in all instances, the
criteria of the relevant learning credit
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schemes are met. For example, IRTC may
be used with ELC but only during
resettlement and to fund a nationally
recognised higher‐level qualification
(level 3 or above) delivered by an
approved ELC learning provider.
Q: Do I still need to make a 20%
minimum personal contribution
towards the cost of the qualification
course during resettlement if I am
using IRTC with SLC/ELC to fund the
same activity?
A: In the first instance yes, because you are
required to submit a claim in accordance
with the current ELC regulations. You
may subsequently submit an IRTC claim
in accordance with resettlement policy to
claim your IRTC grant in full or part to
help pay towards the cost of the higher‐
level learning. However, under these
circumstances only, it is permissible for
Service leavers to use IRTC to pay, in part
or in full, the mandated 20% personal
contribution element.
Q: This doesn’t seem fair. Why only
under these circumstances during
resettlement am I allowed not to
make a personal contribution?
A: Demonstrating a commitment to
learning and personal development is a
fundamental principle of the Armed
Forces learning credit schemes. For the
most part, the use of learning credits is
aimed at developing people in‐Service to
the benefit of both the Forces and the
individual. For Service leavers
undergoing resettlement, it makes sense
to use all the available funding to help
pay the costs of undertaking
qualifications and, where feasible,
rationalise learning credit regulations
with the resettlement rules. In addition,
for the majority of cases and especially
for more expensive higher‐level
learning courses, the principle of
personal contribution is preserved as
most claimants will make some element
of contribution that often exceeds the
20% minimum.
Q: Since I can’t use any unused ELC later
in the financial year for a different
higher course, can I carry forward any
outstanding IRTC grant balance?
A: In accordance with resettlement
regulations, you can use any balance of
IRTC to pay for another resettlement
activity. This is because IRTC is a grant
up to a maximum figure, so each
individual is guaranteed an allowance
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Your questions answered
to a maximum level to use as they choose
until it is spent. ELC and SLC are not
entitlements in that sense. The Armed
Forces, rather, make a contribution to
the actual cost of learning up to a
maximum limit, as described in the
scheme regulations. For ELC this is based
on a ‘one hit’ claim per year, although for
SLC multiple claims can be submitted in
each financial year up to the maximum
credit value, which is currently £175.
Q: How do I know whether I should use
ELC or SLC plus IRTC in resettlement
to pay towards the cost of learning?
A: It depends on the cost of the learning
activity and whether it meets the criteria
of the various schemes. It makes sense to
optimise the funding available, but talk
this through with your resettlement
adviser if you are unsure about the best
route. In all cases it makes sense to
maximise the use of learning credits up
to the full value for which a claimant is
eligible, before considering using IRTC to
pay towards the same course. It doesn’t
make sense to waste any of the value of
learning credits.
Q: What information is available to
ensure that I use the correct
combinations of IRTC and learning
credits to maximise their value
during resettlement?
A: Service resettlement advisers (SRA) have
access to the latest advice and guidance,
and should be consulted in the first
instance. SRA have been given an
IRTC/learning credit calculator that may
also help to determine the net worth of
the funding options and allow Service
leavers to make an informed decision on
which, and in what order, IRTC and
learning credits can be used most
efficiently.
Q: How do I submit a claim? Do I use a
new form?
A: Having decided if it is to your advantage
to use IRTC with ELC or SLC, you follow
exactly the same process as before. For
ELC the application form has been
slightly amended and you are asked to
tick a box indicating whether you will
also claim IRTC for the same course of
study. Otherwise you submit a claim as
you do now, having calculated your 20%
minimum personal contribution. As for
IRTC, you can decide whether to claim
up to 80% in advance of your grant or
wait until after the course has completed
to claim back your IRTC entitlement,
which may contribute in full or part
towards refunding your 20% personal
contribution. You will have to ask the
provider to provide you with a clear
invoice detailing the separate course fee
elements.
Q: Can I only use SLC with IRTC to pay
for examination fees?
A: No, you can use it towards any
recognised national qualification or for
any of the other permitted uses laid out
in Chapter 4, Part 4, JSP 898.
Q: What happens if I am made
redundant?
A: No one is entitled to ELC. You become
eligible to claim ELC by meeting several
criteria, including length of qualifying
service. Service personnel made
redundant, irrespective of whether they
applied to be made redundant or not,
and who have registered with the ELC
scheme, will cease to accrue service for
ELC eligibility on the day they leave
service. Those who have accrued four or
more years’ service since registering on
the ELC scheme by the last day of service
will be eligible to claim ELC at the lower
tier (£1,000), and those who have accrued
eight or more years’ service since
registering on the ELC scheme by the
last day of service will be eligible to claim
ELC at the higher tier (£2,000), subject to
meeting the other conditions associated
with the ELC scheme. Moreover, that
rate can be claimed for up to ten years
after termination of service. People made
redundant before 31 March 2008 cannot
accrue the minimum service required
from the initial registration window to
be eligible for the higher‐tier rate. People
who have accrued less than four years’
service by the final date of service will
not be eligible for ELC funding as they
will not have achieved sufficient length
of qualifying service.
“It makes sense to
optimise the funding
available”
Q: What happens if I am medically
discharged?
A: Those who are medically discharged and
are registered members of the scheme
are eligible to claim ELC at the lower
(£1,000) or higher (£2,000) tier, as
dictated by their length of service on the
date of discharge. Additionally, those
who are medically discharged prior to
completing four years of service may be
eligible to make claims at the lower‐tier
rate if the injury or illness was caused or
significantly worsened, wholly or
predominantly by service, as defined by
the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
(JSP 765).
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ILEX Tutorial College
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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ELC
PROVIDER NUMBER
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14 YEAR
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Upcoming courses:
APRIL::
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‡ On-site instructor training available at reduced rates
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Using learning credits with individual resettlement training costs
Using learning credits
with individual resettlement
training costs
Introduction
The MoD has optimised funding for Service
leavers so they can use learning credits
during resettlement with their individual
resettlement training costs (IRTC) grant to
pay towards the cost of eligible learning
activities. The learning activity must meet
fully the criteria of either the enhanced
learning credit (ELC) or standard learning
credit (SLC) schemes. This provides better‐
targeted public funding where the learning
leads to the same outcome – a nationally
recognised qualification.
Claiming IRTC with ELC
Claims for both ELC and IRTC to pay
towards a single resettlement learning
activity should be submitted in accordance
with the individual scheme regulations. The
20
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
20% minimum personal contribution should
be paid on receipt of the claims authorisation
note (CAN) from ELCAS, and MoD will be
invoiced separately by the learning provider
to pay the difference. Someone claiming ELC
may then submit a retrospective IRTC claim
on completion of the course to claim back
the difference up to the maximum IRTC
allowance. The Service leaver may continue
to apply routinely for pre‐payment of IRTC
using the current procedure.
Funding combinations during
resettlement
IRTC may be used together with ELC or SLC,
but all three cannot be amalgamated. ELC
and SLC are designed to fund different
learning purposes and cannot be used
together. For example, SLC may not be used
Search ‘Courses 4 Forces’ in Groups or People
to fund an exam for a course of study that
has been supported by ELC. The MoD
monitors providers closely to ensure that
costs remain competitive and are not
inflated to obtain the maximum funding
available.
When using IRTC with ELC or SLC during
resettlement, the individual may use the IRTC
element to pay for, in part or in full, the 20%
minimum personal contribution. This
exception will be permitted only under these
specific circumstances; otherwise the rules for
each scheme remain unchanged. The MoD
decided that funding should be optimised to
enable Service leavers to undertake valid
resettlement activities to help them secure
employment. Some element of personal
contribution will usually continue, especially
for more expensive, higher‐level
Continued on page 22
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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Using learning credits with individual resettlement training costs
qualifications where the 20% minimum will
more than likely be exceeded.
●
“It is not possible to
accrue, or carry
forward, any unused
element of ELC”
●
●
●
Rules
Yes
Yes
No
Key points to note
●
●
●
●
22
●
IRTC may be used in concert with ELC or
SLC to fund a recognised learning
activity, in accordance with the SLC and
ELC scheme rules.
The policy and procedures for submitting
an ELC, SLC or IRTC claim have not
changed. No new allowance has been
created. The funding is not combined
into one pot.
An SLC or ELC claim should be
submitted, with the individual making
their minimum 20% personal
contribution.
An IRTC claim should be submitted
either in advance of the allowance or in
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
IRTC may be used with ELC or SLC to
fund a learning activity during
resettlement, but in all instances the
criteria of the relevant learning credit
scheme must be met. The regulations
about each learning credit scheme are
published annually in Joint Service
Publication (JSP) 898, Part 4, Chapter 3,
for ELC, or Chapter 4 for SLC.
IRTC may be used to pay for the
minimum 20% learning credit personal
contribution, either in full or part,
where a learning activity meets the
criteria for both schemes.
The 20% minimum personal
contribution using ELC towards the cost
of the higher‐level learning (level 3 and
above only) should be paid up front by
the claimant directly to the course
provider. Any element of IRTC used to
fund the learning can be claimed in
advance (up to 80%) or in full or part on
course completion.
“It is not permitted
to combine all three
funding streams of
IRTC, SLC and ELC
towards the cost of
a single resettlement
activity”
Implementation rules and
guidance
In essence:
●
IRTC + ELC
●
IRTC + SLC
●
IRTC + ELC + SLC
●
Some additional points
Optimisation of funding for
Service leavers
However, the order in which ELC or SLC and
IRTC are used can affect the overall net value
of the funds to Service leavers. ELC may only
be used once for a single educational activity,
regardless of whether the cost of the activity
is less than the value of the credit, whereas
IRTC may be used against multiple learning
events if the grant value exceeds the cost of
the resettlement activity. Any unspent IRTC
may be directed towards another training
activity. Because IRTC may be used to finance
multiple courses or training while ELC may
not, Service leavers should work out how best
to optimise the funding support available
when undertaking resettlement. For SLC the
position is different as more than one claim
for smaller‐scale learning activities may be
submitted in each financial year provided that
the credit maximum, currently £175, is not
exceeded. Service people should use advice
and guidance available from education,
learning and resettlement advisers.
retrospect, once the learning activity has
been completed.
These processes are completely separate,
in accordance with learning credit and
resettlement regulations.
●
Using IRTC either in full or part,
together with ELC or SLC, must comply
with learning credit policy. Most
notably, if using IRTC with ELC then an
ELC approved provider must be used,
and if using IRTC with SLC then the
learning activity must lead to the award
of a nationally recognised qualification.
The full course cost for a claimant
accessing SLC support should be paid
by the claimant direct to the course
provider. The difference up to a
maximum of £175 after deducting the
20% minimum personal contribution is
paid by MoD on course completion. Any
element of IRTC used to fund the
Search ‘Courses 4 Forces’ in Groups or People
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
learning can be claimed in advance (up
to 80%) or in full or part on course
completion.
If using IRTC with SLC, then a Career
Transition Partnership (CTP) preferred
supplier or any other accredited
provider may be used.
It remains the individual claimant’s
responsibility, with advice and guidance
from an education, learning and
resettlement adviser, to determine the
best way to optimise the funding
support available in resettlement to pay
for learning leading to a qualification.
If, after using IRTC together with ELC
or SLC, there is an unused IRTC
element, it may be used to pay towards
another training activity during
resettlement.
It is not possible to accrue, or carry
forward, any unused element of ELC.
The principle remains one use of an ELC
in any one financial year.
It is possible to make more than one
SLC claim in each financial year
provided that the maximum credit,
currently £175, is not exceeded.
Just as it is not possible to use SLC and
ELC to pay for the same learning
activity (SLC are used to pay towards
lower‐level learning, while ELC are used
to pay towards higher‐level learning
(level 3 and above)), it is not permitted
to combine all three funding streams of
IRTC, SLC and ELC towards the cost of a
single resettlement activity. The
claimant should decide on the most
appropriate funding mechanism.
It is recommended that claimants
should consider using the learning
credit to fund the learning to the
maximum level for which they are
eligible during their resettlement,
before using IRTC to pay towards the
same activity. This may optimise the
funding available where a different and
additional learning activity might be
considered.
Where ELC is being used in conjunction
with Graduated Resettlement Time, it
may be permissible to claim both
subsistence and travel in accordance
with JSP 752 Chap 3 Section 1 Para
03.0138 and Chap 4 Section 1 Para
04.0132.e. In such cases, the validity of
such claims is to be assessed against the
criteria laid down in JSP 534 (the Tri‐
Service Resettlement Manual).
Continued on page 24
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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Using learning credits with individual resettlement training costs
Funding examples using IRTC with learning credits
Using IRTC with ELC
Example 1
Item
£
Calculation
Notes
A
Gross course cost
1,500
B
20% personal contribution
300
(20% of A)
Under ELC rules
C
ELC grant (£1,000 maximum) used
1,000
D
Outstanding balance
200
A-(B+C)
E
Total personal contribution
500
D+B
F
IRTC grant (£534 maximum) used
500
G
Remaining IRTC
34
£1,000 maximum paid by the Service
£500 used
534-F
A Service leaver who qualifies for IRTC and who has accrued the four years’ minimum eligible ELC scheme membership applies for a course costing
£1,500. Claimant pays £500 to provider to cover the minimum 20% contribution (£300) required to use ELC and £200 to cover the remaining balance
less the maximum ELC available.
The applicant uses £500 of their IRTC towards the cost of the course. They claim back £500 from their IRTC grant leaving a balance of £34 to contribute
towards the cost of any other resettlement training. The £1,000 ELC invoice is processed by ELCAS and the MoD pays the provider directly. Should the
applicant wish, they may apply for pre‐payment of up to 80% of their IRTC expended noting that if it is not used it will be reclaimed in the next period.
Example 2
Item
£
Calculation
Notes
A
Gross course cost
3,000
B
20% personal contribution
600
(20% of A)
Under ELC rules
C
ELC grant (£1,000 maximum) used
1,000
D
Outstanding balance
1,400
A-(B+C)
E
Total personal contribution
2,000
D+B
F
IRTC grant (£534 maximum) used
534
G
Remaining IRTC
0
£1,000 maximum paid by the Service
£534 used
534-F
A Service leaver who qualifies for IRTC and who has accrued the four years’ minimum eligible ELC scheme membership applies for a course costing
£3,000. Claimant pays £2,000 to provider to cover the minimum 20% contribution (£600) required to use ELC and £1,400 to cover the remaining
balance less the maximum ELC available.
The applicant uses all (£534) of their IRTC towards the cost of the course. They claim back the full £534 from their IRTC grant. The £1,000 ELC invoice
is processed by ELCAS and the MoD pays the provider directly. As above, the applicant may apply for pre‐payment of up to 80% of their IRTC to
reduce the initial outlay.
Example 3
Item
£
Calculation
Notes
A
Gross course cost
6,500
B
20% personal contribution requirement
1,300
(20% of A)
Under ELC rules
C
ELC grant (£2,000 maximum) used
2,000
D
Outstanding balance
3,200
A-(B+C)
E
Total personal contribution
4,500
D+B
F
IRTC grant (£534 maximum) used
534
G
Remaining IRTC
0
£2,000 maximum paid by the Service
£534 used
534-F
A Service leaver who qualifies for IRTC and who has accrued the eight years’ minimum eligible ELC scheme membership applies for a course costing
£6,500. Claimant pays £4,500 to provider to cover the minimum 20% contribution (£1,300) required to use ELC and £3,200 to cover the remaining
balance less the maximum ELC available.
The applicant uses all (£534) of their IRTC grant towards the cost of the course. They claim back the full £534 from their IRTC grant. The £2,000 ELC
invoice is processed by ELCAS and the MoD pays the provider direct. The applicant may apply for pre‐payment of up to 80% of their IRTC to reduce
the initial outlay.
24
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Using learning credits with individual resettlement training costs
Using IRTC with SLC
Example 4
Item
£
Calculation
Notes
A
Gross course cost
1,100
B
20% personal contribution requirement
220
(20% of A)
Under SLC rules
C
SLC grant (£175 maximum) used
175
D
Outstanding balance
705
A-(B+C)
E
Total personal contribution
925
D+B
F
IRTC grant (£534 maximum) used
534
G
Remaining IRTC
0
£175 maximum paid by the Service
£534 used
534-F
A Service leaver who qualifies for IRTC applies for a course costing £1,100 using SLC. Claimant pays the full balance of £1,100 to the provider as required
when using SLC.
The applicant uses all (£534) of their IRTC towards the cost of the course. They claim back the full £534 from their IRTC grant and recovers £175 of SLC
on completion. They may apply for pre‐payment of up to 80% of IRTC expended to reduce the initial outlay.
Example 5
Item
£
Calculation
Notes
A
Gross course cost
850
B
20% personal contribution requirement
170
(20% of A)
Under SLC rules
C
SLC grant (£175 maximum) used
175
D
Outstanding balance
505
A-(B+C)
E
Total personal contribution
675
D+B
F
IRTC grant (£534 maximum) used
534
G
Remaining IRTC
0
£175 maximum paid by the Service
£534 used
534-F
A Service leaver who qualifies for IRTC applies for a course costing £850 using SLC. Claimant pays the full balance of £850 to the provider as required
when using SLC.
The applicant uses all (£534) of their IRTC towards the cost of the course. They claim back the full £534 from their IRTC grant and recovers £175 of SLC
on completion. They may apply for pre‐payment of up to 80% of the IRTC expended to reduce the initial outlay.
Example 6
Item
£
Calculation
Notes
A
Gross course cost
620
B
20% personal contribution requirement
124
(20% of A)
Under SLC rules
C
SLC grant (£175 maximum) used
175
D
Outstanding balance
321
A-(B+C)
E
Total personal contribution
445
D+B
F
IRTC grant (£534 maximum) used
445
G
Remaining IRTC
89
£175 maximum paid by the Service
£534 used
534-F
A Service leaver who qualifies for IRTC applies for a course costing £620 using SLC. Claimant pays the full balance of £620 to the provider as required
when using SLC.
The applicant uses £445 of their IRTC towards the cost of the course. They claim back £445 from their IRTC grant and recovers £175 of SLC on
completion. They may apply for pre‐payment of up to 80% of the IRTC expended to reduce the initial outlay.
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View from the Ministry
View from the
Ministry
Commitment to the funding of
higher and further education
for Service leavers
The government announced to Parliament
on 17 July 2008 a package of cross‐
government support to Armed Forces
personnel, their families and veterans,
which included a commitment to providing
Service leavers (SL) with access to a first full
level 3 (GCE A level or vocational
equivalent) or a first higher education
qualification (a foundation degree or a first
undergraduate degree or equivalent) free
from tuition fees. Subsequently, the MoD
engaged with other government
departments (OGD) and devolved
administrations (DA) to define and agree
the parameters of this additional further
education (FE) and higher education (HE)
support, develop the policy and implement
the proposals. The scheme commenced
with effect from 6 April 2009. On
government direction, the scheme has been
reviewed by MoD and its partner
departments to ensure that it correctly
meets the need of SL. This has resulted in
revised criteria governing claims for FE and
HE support under the auspices of the
scheme that are submitted after 6 April
2011.
MAKING AN APPLICATION: STEP BY STEP
1. First, read Joint Service Publication
(JSP) 898, Part 4, Chapter 3 (ELC
Regulations) and JSP 898, Part 4,
Chapter 7: Further and Higher
Education Support for Service Leavers.
2. Find and talk to an education/learning
and resettlement adviser.
3. Download the application form from
the ELC website; only this version can
be used and any other replicated form
will be rejected.
4. Check the ELCAS database of approved
providers – publicly funded providers
for the purpose of this support will be
highlighted.
5. If wishing to use a new provider, ensure
that they will be eligible to participate
in this scheme (they must deliver
publicly funded FE/HE), and ask them
to apply for scheme membership using
the information on the ELC website.
1
2
6. As with the current ELC scheme, do
not leave everything until the last
minute. Allow time for any new
providers to be accepted on to the
scheme. Once accepted, applications
may be submitted. Allow at least six
weeks to go through this process –
more if possible. Leaving it late may
result in the application not being
processed in time for the start of the
course.
7. For the purposes of this scheme, where
the state pays the tuition fees in full,
providers will be expected to waive any
initial registration fee to help reduce
the level of bureaucracy. Applicants
should not pay any of their own money
towards the cost of their tuition fees. If
they do, it will not be refunded.
The support is aimed at people who
will benefit the most, and the application
system is really no different from the
current ELC rules other than the state
(MoD and the relevant national education
authority in England, Scotland or Wales)
paying tuition fees in full rather than the
individual making a contribution towards
the cost. The full policy can be found in
JSP 898 Part 4 Chapter 7: Further and
Higher Education Support for Service
Leavers.
Background
This opens the gateway to further
education for people who may have joined
the Armed Forces with few or no
qualifications, and gone on to achieve a
level 2 qualification (GCSE or equivalent)
in the Service but progressed no further.
The MoD has already committed to the
target for all Service people to achieve level
2 within eight years of service or on
promotion to Sergeant (or equivalent),
whichever is the earlier.
Similarly, Service leavers who may have
joined at level 2 and have taken the
opportunity to gain a qualification such as
an advanced apprenticeship or other
accredited learning at level 3 (or
equivalent), may now be able to access
their first higher‐level qualification.
While the commitment provides
subsidy for tuition fees, individuals may
have to contribute to the non‐tuition‐
related costs of learning, which may
depend on whether the learning is full‐time
or part‐time, and the level of household
income. Some applicants may be able to
access means‐tested support, as may other
students.
Continued on page 28
Department of Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) and the Skills Funding Agency.
Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government.
26
Spring 2013
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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DI) usi
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using
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C entitlement.
entitlement. Visit the website
website
your
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below tto
o fi
nd out wha
ormer Ser
vices
below
find
whatt othe
otherr fformer
Services
personnel ha
ve tto
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have
sayy about LDC.
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training is
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ademic sk
ills are
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service.
Ref: 802
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*course
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ourse ffees
ees apply
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View from the Ministry
Before making an application, Service
leavers are advised to check the national
position on existing support with the
relevant national education authority (the
BIS or SFA in England). There may already
be existing free provision by another route:
for example, those aged 25 years or under
are already entitled to a first level 3 in
England; there is free entitlement for all
who fulfil the residency requirements on
degree/HND‐level courses in Scotland; and
Welsh residents also attract some support
for FE and HE provision. It makes sense for
Service leavers to explore alternative routes
before considering support and access
through the ELC top‐up scheme, and there
are safety measures in place to prevent
double funding.
Eligibility rules
To take advantage of the support, Service
leavers must:
●
have completed four years’ full‐time
service
●
have previously joined the Enhanced
Learning Credit (ELC) scheme and
completed at least four years’ qualifying
scheme membership
●
only apply for a first eligible FE/HE
qualification at the level for which they
28
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
are academically qualified to enter
learning on leaving the Service
●
have left the Service or entered their
qualifying resettlement phase on or
after 17 July 2008
●
meet UK residency requirements to
qualify for full state subsidy.
Special eligibility criteria apply to personnel
who are medically discharged from service
before achieving four years’ service and
advice should be sought from unit
education staffs.
●
Qualification level
This commitment will provide access, free
from tuition fees, for the following.
●
A first full level 3 or a first HE
qualification. The scheme is
specifically targeted at supporting the
achievement of a first qualification at
either level 3 or HE. If the scheme is
used to achieve a level 3 qualification, it
cannot be used again to achieve an HE
qualification. Similarly, although the
scheme supports the achievement of an
HE qualification up to that of a full
undergraduate degree, it cannot be
used to achieve a degree if a lower‐level
HE qualification such as an HND is
already held. It is, however,
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●
permissible for an SL using the
scheme to expand their studies
while they are in progress, for
example extending their foundation
degree studies to achieve a full degree.
A level 3 or national equivalent. This
refers to a full UK level 3 qualification
such as the achievement of two GCE A
levels (A2) (passes at A–E) or vocational
equivalent as defined by the National
Qualifications Framework (NQF) or the
Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF) (England and Wales); or in
Scotland a level 6 qualification (SVQ
level 3) on the Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
A foundation degree or full
undergraduate degree or national
equivalent. Typically, to be eligible for
this support, the higher education
qualifications would be at levels 4–6 of
the Framework for Higher Education
and Qualifications in England, Wales
and Northern Ireland (FHEQ) – for
example, a first undergraduate degree
(including foundation degree) or Higher
National Certificate or Diploma for
which the entry qualification is lower
than a degree and that normally
Continued on page 30
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
Head Office: Room LN21, Armstrong House, First Avenue, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster DN9 3GA
Tel: 07939 518451 Skype: chrysoshr Email: info@chrysos.org.uk Website: www.chrysos.org.uk
Head Office: Room LN21, Armstrong House, First Avenue, Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster DN9 3GA
Tel: 07939 518451 Skype: chrysoshr Email: info@chrysos.org.uk Website: www.chrysos.org.uk
MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS THAT GET YOU NOTICED
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We also offer
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A choice of study routes
By work-based approach or attend a taught programme
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APPROVED BY MoD
IN SUPPORT OF
THE ELC SCHEME
Foundation Level 3
•
Certificate or Diploma in Human Resource Practice
•
Certificate or Diploma in Learning and Development Practice
For those aspiring to work or already working in a HR or L&D support role
Intermediate Level 5
•
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•
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For those working in a HR or L&D role at middle management level
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A choice of study routes
By flexible learning or attend a taught programme
5-week Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management
Commencing February, June and September
At our training centre in Doncaster
APPROVED BY MoD
IN SUPPORT OF
THE ELC SCHEME
E LC
E LC
Tel: 07939 518451
PROVIDER NUMBER
3069
PROVIDER NUMBER
3069
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Staff Sergeant, Flight Sergeant, equivalent ranks & above are automatically eligible to join the
programme* and gain a degree in just 12 months.
›Jkl[\ekjXkk\e[feZ\$X$dfek_nfibj_fgjXkcfZXcm\el\j`eZcl[`e^k_\gfjj`Y`c`kpf]fe$YXj\kl`k`fe%
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More details at:
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fi\dX`c989<X[d`e`jkiXkfiJlqXee\Jd`k_su.smith@napier.ac.uk
APPROVED BY MoD
IN SUPPORT OF
THE ELC SCHEME
!8[[`k`feXccp#g\ijfee\c`dd\[`Xk\cpY\cfnk_\iXebjc`jk\[XYfm\fin`k_fk_\i
hlXc`ÓZXk`fejdXpXcjfY\\c`^`Yc\Xe[j_flc[\dX`cn`k_XYi`\]:M]fidfi\[\kX`cj%
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ELC
PROVIDER NUMBER
1159
Spring 2013
29
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View from the Ministry
HELP AND ADVICE
●
For general enquiries about the scheme, eligibility and qualifications,
seek advice from single‐Service education and resettlement staff, not
ELCAS. ELCAS’s role is to administer applications, not provide advice
and guidance on eligibility or education/learning or resettlement
needs. Policy helpline details are:
●
RN – FLEET FOST TA EL3R RESET SO3C, Tel Mil: 93832 5954
Civ: 020392 625954
●
Army – email: elc@detsa.co.uk, Tel Civ: 01264 381565 or 01264
381580 (after 2pm)
●
RAF – 22 Training Group – Learning Forces, email: 22TrgGp‐TP‐
ACCRED‐SO3@mod.uk Tel: 01400 268182.
●
●
takes place at a publicly funded institution. In Scotland the
equivalent qualification is a Higher National Certificate
(HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or a first
undergraduate degree, undertaken at a further education
college (FE college) or a higher education institution (HEI).
Main scheme features
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
30
The provision took effect from academic year 2009/2010, for
eligible qualifications starting in August/September 2009
onwards.
The commitment is for nationally recognised UK‐based
qualifications only. To qualify, eligible Service leavers must
have been resident in the UK for at least three years prior to
the start of the course and they must continue to remain in the
UK until they complete the qualification (overseas service
while employed in the Armed Forces counts towards UK
residency).
Because it is aligned to the ELC scheme, support can be
accessed by eligible Service leavers for up to ten years after
they leave the Armed Forces.
Service leavers should apply though the ELC scheme, using up
any of their remaining annual ELC credits in each financial
year over the length of the qualification, but incurring no
direct cost to themselves in paying towards the tuition fees.
By providing a full state subsidy to pay for tuition fees only, the
MoD will continue to pay its contribution towards course fees
under the ELC scheme (up to a maximum of £1,000 or £2,000
per financial year), and BIS/SFA or the devolved administration
equivalents in Wales and Scotland (where not already provided
through existing national support) will buy out the minimum
20% personal contribution that would have been paid by the
individual using their ELC.
If ELC have been exhausted in‐Service, Service leavers will still
be eligible to apply for support at the next higher‐level
qualification on leaving, but only where this meets the eligibility
criteria. For example, those who may have achieved a level 3 (or
equivalent) but hold no higher education qualification may
apply for support to undertake their first foundation degree.
If ELC have already been exhausted in‐Service the commitment
to fund the tuition fees in full transfers to BIS/SFA or the
devolved administration. In these circumstances, to help
reduce the level of bureaucracy, speed up the process and until
other arrangements can be put in place, the MoD will continue
to pay the course fee in full but reclaim it back from the
relevant national education authorities.
Once ELC run out after leaving, the commitment for any
continued funding to complete the first FE or HE qualification
will transfer to BIS/SFA or the devolved administration.
Spring 2013
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●
Provision must be delivered through publicly funded FE and
HE institutions, some of which may already be listed as
existing approved ELC providers. Providers delivering non‐
publicly funded FE/HE qualifications are not eligible to be
considered for this scheme.
The provision is available only for nationally recognised
qualifications – those accredited by nationally recognised
awarding bodies and delivered through FE or HE institutions.
This means that some qualifications currently supported
through ELC, such as pilots’ licences, some sports
qualifications and what are known as vendor/industry‐
standard qualifications will not attract the state top‐up and
will be ineligible for this support.
The provision will not be retrospectively applied to anyone
who left the Services prior to 17 July 2008.
This fully state‐subsidised support may be transferred to the
spouse or civil partner in the case of death in service or medical
discharge where an individual’s medical condition is so severe
that it will prevent them from taking advantage of the
educational support. In such circumstances the scheme
eligibility rules must be met in all other respects. The spouse or
partner must also be in a position to benefit from the support
by undertaking their first full level 3 (or equivalent) or first
higher education qualification.
A final message to Service leavers
This additional support will go a long way to helping Service
leavers achieve their first full level 3 (or national equivalent) or
first HE qualification. This will help pave the way for the return to
civilian life, or provide assistance at a later stage for those who
have left to achieve a useful, nationally recognised qualification.
As competition becomes fiercer in a time of economic
downturn, having skills and qualifications in addition to a wealth
of experience gained in the Armed Forces may give the edge when
seeking employment. All the tuition fees are free, so the cost to the
individual is time and effort.
Higher-level qualifications
Understanding what qualification is eligible for ELC funding can
be a challenge. It seems simple enough to state that the
qualification must be listed at level 3 or above on the National
Qualification Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), or the new
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), or at the equivalent
(level 6 or above) on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications
Framework (SCQF). And, for the vast majority of higher‐level
qualifications, these frameworks are the authoritative reference
lists. But there are many other qualifications available that seem to
be tried and tested, worthwhile and valued by employers.
First of all, it is important to understand the difference
between academic and vocational qualifications. For example, at
level 3 and above on the NQF (level 6 on the SCQF) these fall into
well‐recognised categories such as A‐levels, certificates in higher
education, diplomas, foundation degrees, higher national
diplomas, graduate certificates/diplomas, bachelor’s degrees,
master’s, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, and doctorates.
Vocational qualifications include a range of certificates and
diplomas at NVQ levels 3 to 5, with vocational diplomas at the
highest level. Both academic and vocational higher‐level
qualifications now equate to generic levels in the NQF structure.
Other qualifications
There are many other qualifications, and the MoD and ELCAS go
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View from the Ministry
to great lengths to quality‐assure providers wishing to apply for
approved learning provider status. And, by keeping the numbers
within a manageable range, we can ensure that there are sufficient
resources to: carry out rigorous evaluation and inspections;
compare and benchmark provider service delivery, support and
course costs; and, equally important, ensure that those higher‐
level qualifications offered are eligible for ELC funding.
However, it can still be difficult to decide whether a course
that does not appear on the NQF (or QCF or SCQF) – which can be
for a number of reasons – is eligible for ELC support. There are
many ‘industry standard’ or ‘vendor’ certificates and qualifications
on the market, the majority linked to vocational skills and highly
valued by employers. Unfortunately, there are many worthless
ones around too, which may not be valued and recognised by an
employer, or may not enhance skills to benefit career and
promotion prospects in the Services, or help find employment on
leaving them.
To provide some recognition and support for worthwhile
qualifications, and to eliminate the rogue ones, the MoD and
ELCAS liaise with approved providers; awarding, regulatory and
governing bodies; and Sector Skills Councils across the major skills
sectors. The object is to bring some sense and understanding to
these other qualifications and determine, where appropriate,
higher‐level equivalence.
For example, equivalence of the training leading to award of a
private pilot’s licence has been agreed at level 3 with the Civil
Aviation Authority. e‐skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for
Business and Information Technology, has been involved in pulling
together a matrix of eligible higher‐level vendor IT qualifications,
and similar work has taken place with Summit Skills on building
services engineering. This work will continue, in the drive to
provide clear guidance and advice. But not all organisations are
quick to respond, and some may not know the answers. It can take
time to agree which vocational courses equate to a higher‐level
academic equivalent in terms of rigour, commitment and learning.
The ELC scheme is largely meant to be about personnel
pursuing higher‐level learning, delivering benefits to both the
learner and the Armed Forces. But it also allows level 3‐plus
learning to be pursued during resettlement or for up to ten years
after leaving the Services. The majority of this learning is likely to
be vocational (learning new skills or enhancing existing ones) with
the qualification benefiting the learner and a future employer and,
nationally, adding to the UK’s skills base.
The major difficulty claimants and countersigning
education/learning staff have is in determining whether a
vocational course leading to a qualification should be supported
through the ELC scheme. For the vast majority of qualification
courses the rule is clear: the qualification must appear on the
NQF/QCF or national equivalent. However, if an industry standard
qualification has been assessed as being at NQF (or equivalent)
level 3 or higher, and accepted by a reputable awarding or
regulatory body, this information will appear on the ELCAS
website, linked where possible to external advice and guidance.
These instances are likely to be rare but, when they arise, it is the
responsibility of learning providers and individual claimants to
prove that a qualification is at level 3 or above.
track how ELC are used to pursue higher‐level qualifications.
Inevitably, learning providers may have to tweak their course
registration process, invoicing procedures and learning support to
comply with the particular requirements of the ELC scheme,
taking into account the particular circumstances of Service life.
How you can help: avoiding queries or rejection
Claimants can also help things run smoothly. ELCAS continues to
deal with a high proportion of claims that are queried or rejected.
Almost 20% of all claims received do not comply with the correct
claims authorisation procedures, and this figure is even higher for
those received by education staff.
Some of the main reasons for rejection include:
●
applicants enrolling on a course – and sometimes paying a fee –
without first obtaining the necessary claims authorisation note
(CAN) from ELCAS
●
other learners fail to allow sufficient time between submitting
a claim and starting a course; this process takes at least five
weeks – it can take ELCAS up to 15 working days to generate a
CAN; any claim submitted within 15 working days of the start
of the course will automatically be rejected by ELCAS as there
is insufficient time to process it
●
this problem is exacerbated by submission of a second or third
ELC claim, which is automatically rejected because the course
evaluation form for the previous claim was not completed.
Learners should plan ahead, research and discuss their learning
with their line manager and Service education or learning adviser.
This applies equally to qualifying ex‐Service people using their
ELC, some of whom, again, leave their claim submission until the
last minute. The 15‐day margin is in place for good reason.
Improving ELC scheme administration
ELCAS, MoD and the Service scheme administrators continue to
review, streamline and improve the claims procedure, but the
scheme operates within strict guidelines. Funding must be
accountable, with robust and fully auditable systems in place to
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View from the Ministry
CASE STUDY
Tim Carpenter
Flt Lt Tim Carpenter, Officer commanding the
Joint Education Centre at the Defence Centre
of Training and Support RAF Halton, received a
TAP Diploma in e-Learning from Ron Mackrell,
Director of The Training Foundation.
Commenting on his qualification, Tim
says: ‘I needed the skills the Diploma provides
in my role of training MoD personnel who are
creating e-learning for their own department.
At the time, the course I ran was a five-day
residential course with just one piece of elearning as pre-course work.
‘The skills I picked up doing the Diploma
have helped me change the course to be fully
blended. I have now moved a great proportion
of the classroom learning on to the Defence VLE so the students can access it at
home or at work before coming on the residential part for just three days. This has
been received very well back in the workplace by line management, as well as
families, as the time away from work and home is minimised. The highly
professional and friendly staff at The Training Foundation made it a pleasure to
engage in my first exposure to the world of virtual learning.’
Congratulating Tim on his achievement, Ron Mackrell adds: ‘The Training
Accreditation Programme is the only skills programme recognised by a Queen’s
Award for Innovation. More than 24,000 trainers have achieved one or more rolebased TAP Certificates or Diplomas. We are delighted to see so many MoD
instructors, and some who wish to move into a training role, achieving our
qualifications, which will stand them in good stead in their future careers.’
See the advertisement on page 55
Those who do not plan sufficiently ahead could find
themselves significantly out of pocket as retrospective claims
are not allowed under any circumstances.
As mentioned above, another reason for claim rejection
is that the course does not meet the necessary minimum
criteria (level 3 or above on the NQF or QCF) or even that
the learning provider is not on the ELCAS approved list.
Other reasons for rejection are:
●
failure to follow the correct procedure for signing,
authorising and dating the claim form
●
the claim not being received in the qualifying financial
year
●
applicants with fewer than four years’ service and
therefore not eligible to claim an ELC
●
incorrect financial data, such as the learner’s
contribution being less than 20% or the MoD’s
contribution calculated as exceeding the £1,000 or £2,000
limit.
Do not assume that all courses offered by an approved
provider are automatically admissible under the ELC
scheme. This is a common misconception: one provider may
supply many courses, but only those at NQF/QCF level 3 or
above (and equivalent) may be undertaken for ELC purposes.
Other reasons for claims being queried include:
●
incomplete or illegible forms (25% of all rejected/queried
claims)
●
applicants not registered on the ELCAS system
●
more than one active claim being processed for an
individual in the financial year.
All this has a knock‐on effect, with the process for dealing
with claims being delayed while ELCAS staff follow up
queries. Those that are rejected and returned add to the
burden on education and learning staff, as valid but
incorrect applications have to be reprocessed and this is not
helped by personnel moving and sometimes being difficult
to trace.
Learners should:
●
plan ahead and get it right first time
●
not buck the system or pay up front
●
be diligent in completing claim forms.
Post-course evaluation
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Spring 2013
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Another important area that continues to be neglected is
post‐course evaluation. To date, fewer than a third of
applicants are completing and returning their evaluation
forms. Again, this leads to further chasing, with ELCAS staff
issuing reminders and education/learning staff taking
further time to trace individuals to pass them on. After
people have been chased, the response rate improves to
about 50%, but nothing less than a 100% completion rate is
good enough.
Evaluation is extremely important. Learner feedback is
an essential element of the quality assurance process and
provides the evidence to help the MoD tackle poorly
performing learning providers and, where necessary,
suspend or withdraw their approved status. It is also a
requirement for the individual to retain a copy of the
evaluation in their personal development record. If they do
not and cannot provide evidence of course completion,
future ELC claims will be denied.
It is in learners’ interests to take the time to complete
the ELC post‐course evaluation form.
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Qualifications frameworks
The NQF, QCF and SCQF
The National Qualifications Framework
(NQF) helps learners to make informed
decisions about the qualifications they need.
They can compare the levels of different
qualifications and identify clear progression
routes for their chosen career. It is not exact
but it indicates the relative values of different
awards. There are nine qualification levels,
and the framework aims to:
●
promote access, motivation and
achievement in education and training
●
promote lifelong learning by providing
progression routes
●
avoid duplication and overlap of
qualifications, while covering all learning
needs
●
promote public and professional
confidence in the integrity and relevance
of national awards.
Readers should make sure they know the
classification of the qualification they wish
to take – it has to be at level 3 or above on
the NQF or QCF, or at level 6 or above on
the SCQF (see below) to claim ELC. As a
quick reference, here are some examples of
qualifications that appear at levels 3 and
above of the NQF:
●
level 3 – A‐levels, City & Guilds level 3,
level 3 NVQ, NEBOSH National General
Certificate in Occupational Health and
Safety, Access to Higher Education
Diploma
●
level 4 – certificates of higher education
●
level 5 – diplomas of higher
education/further education, foundation
degrees, higher national
diplomas/certificates
●
level 6 – bachelor’s degrees, graduate
certificates/diplomas
●
level 7 – master’s, postgraduate
certificates/diplomas
●
level 8 – doctorates.
You can view full details of the qualifications
at each level at: www.ofqual.gov.uk, click on
34
Spring 2013
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‘Qualification & assessment framework’,
then ‘National Qualifications Framework
(NQF)’. (Note that this information applies
to England only – Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland have their own systems.)
Although the NQF will continue to exist
indefinitely for qualifications such as GCSEs
(which are at levels 1 and 2), A‐levels and
Access to Higher Education Diploma (both at
level 3, as noted in the list above), another
framework has been up and running since
2010: the Qualifications and Credit
Framework (QCF).
To see how the two frameworks – the
NQF and the QCF – compare, visit:
www.direct.gov.uk, click on ‘Education and
learning’, then ‘Qualifications explained’.
opportunity to get the qualifications they need,
in a way that suits them. QCF qualifications are
designed with the help of employers, so
learners can be assured that they’re gaining
skills that employers are looking for.
The QCF:
●
recognises smaller steps of learning and
enables learners to build up
qualifications bit by bit, at their own
pace, along flexible routes
●
helps learners achieve skills and
qualifications that meet industry needs
●
enables work‐based training to be
nationally recognised.
It is anticipated that, in due course, all
vocational qualifications will be on this
credit‐based qualifications framework.
The Qualifications and Credit
Framework
How does the QCF help me
understand the qualifications
system?
The QCF is the framework set up in 2010 for
creating and accrediting qualifications in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
(Scotland has its own system: the Scottish
Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
For more on this see ‘Key links’.) It is an
innovative qualifications system that is of
benefit to both employers and learners as it
helps employers get workers with the right
skills and will give a wider range of learners the
In terms of vocational qualifications, it was
hard with the NQF to understand all the
different types of qualification that learners
hold – what level they are, how long they
take to complete, what content they cover
and how they compare to other
qualifications. The new QCF helps present
qualifications in a way that is easy to
understand and measure (see table).
QCF structure
Level
CHALLENGE
The National Qualifications
Framework
Foundation
Learning
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Entry
Award
1–12 credits
Certificate
13–36 credits
Diploma
37+ credits
SIZE
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Qualifications frameworks
How does it work?
According to the website of the Office of Qualifications
and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), the name of each
qualification on the QCF tells you three things about it:
how difficult it is, how long it takes and what it’s about.
1. The level shows how difficult the qualification is.
There are nine levels, from entry level to level 8.
2. Next is the size (how long the qualification takes to
complete). Every qualification on the QCF comes in
one of three sizes: Award, Certificate or Diploma.
3. Finally, there’s the content – what it’s about. For
example, leadership or sport.
Here are two examples, showing how the three parts
fit together:
●
Level 1 Certificate in sport and active leisure
●
Level 8 Award in strategic direction and leadership.
Each qualification on the QCF is composed of units.
Every unit has a credit value that tells you how long the
unit takes to complete. A credit is about 10 hours’ work,
so a unit with a credit value of four will take about 40
hours. The total credit value of a qualification tells you its
size –whether it’s an Award, a Certificate or a Diploma.
Awards are made up of 1 to 12 credits, Certificates 13 to 36
credits, and Diplomas 37 credits or more.
The QCF allows the same qualification to be built
from different combinations of units, to suit the learner’s
own circumstances, skills and interests. Most
qualifications are made up of some units you have to do
and others that you can choose. As long as the units
you’re taking fit the rules about combining them, they’ll
add up to a qualification. The QCF also lets you bring
together your achievements from different places, so your
qualification can be made up of units from, say, your
training at work and units you have completed at college.
There are already more than 5,000 new vocational
qualifications on the QCF, available in a wide range of
subjects. More are being added all the time.
Qualifications on the QCF are available from a wide range
of learning providers; a number of employers are also
developing these qualifications. They are available in
England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and are also
recognised in Scotland.
Other vocational qualifications are currently being
changed into units and moved on to the QCF. Some of
these new qualifications will continue to be called NVQs,
BTECs, City & Guilds, OCRs, HNCs and HNDs – and they
will all continue to be recognised and valued by
employers.
KEY LINKS
To find out more, visit:
●
www.direct.gov.uk, or
●
www.ofqual.gov.uk
and search for ‘QCF’
For full details of the SCQF, visit:
●
www.scqf.org.uk
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CASE STUDY
Peter Herbertson
Squadron Leader Peter Herbertson served in the RAF
for more than 36 years as a navigator, instructor and
staff officer. On ‘retirement’ in 2006 he qualified as a
domestic energy assessor (DEA). He was then
immediately employed by a chartered surveyor to train
other DEAs. Subsequently, Peter improved the course
and was the first trainer to obtain a 100% course pass
rate! He has since surveyed thousands of properties,
producing energy performance certificates for the sales
and lettings market in the Lincoln area.
He says, ‘Initially, many people trained to be DEAs
with promises of highly lucrative contracts, but the
market levelled out and the fees are now far more
competitive. You certainly have to work for your money!’ Asked about the major differences
between his Service life and new job, he replied: ‘When I left, I was determined not to work
for or employ anyone but to be the master of my own destiny. There are real rewards in selfemployment and this is a common theme among other ex-Service people I’ve come across
in my new career. Jobs are very hard to find in Lincolnshire, so sitting back expecting
employers to come to you is just a dream. I regularly come across successful self-employed
ex-Service personnel working locally, including several other DEAs, which is great because,
while we work independently, we support one another for holiday cover, etc.’
In 2012, Peter grabbed a real opportunity and was one of the first in the country to train
in the brand new job of Green Deal Adviser (GDA). He was the first registered GDA in
Lincolnshire – closely followed by two ex-RAF and one ex-Army colleague. The Green Deal is
the government’s flagship energy-saving plan to make the country’s homes warmer and
cheaper to run. People are able to access up to £10,000 upfront to pay for energy efficiency
work, repaying the costs through savings on energy bills. Greg Barker, Climate Change
Minister, described the Green Deal as ‘the biggest home improvement programme since the
Second World War, shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future’. Peter
says: ‘It’s a great new job, where you can really help people because the Green Deal will
enable homeowners who can’t afford to pay for improvement measures to arrange for
thousands of pounds to be spent on their homes at no upfront cost, with the savings in their
energy bills paying for those measures. A win-win situation.’
The Green Deal assessment must be carried out by a qualified GDA. They will have a
mixture of technical knowledge, practical competence and ‘soft’ skills to provide households
with the advice needed to make informed decisions. Peter believes that ex-Service people
will be really well placed to work in this industry. He recently benefited from an ELCAS grant
and points out that, to qualify as a GDA with a good training provider, costs just over £2,000
so ELCAS funding would ideally fit the bill!
Prior to qualifying as a DEA and GDA, Peter spent many years training in the RAF. On
leaving, he obtained a civilian training certificate through the CTP and a TAQA assessor
qualification through ELCAS. He has subsequently successfully trained many DEAs and
GDAs. He says: ‘While I really enjoy working as a DEA and am looking forward to getting
stuck in to the Green Deal [this article was written before the Green Deal’s introduction], I
feel passionate about training in a professional environment and have now been invited by
Ultimate Performance in Sleaford to lead its DEA and GDA courses. Some training courses I
have attended since leaving the military have been pretty poor and not of the high standard
we are so used to in the military. When I was trained on Ultimate Performance’s excellent
TAQA course, I was really impressed with the pragmatic approach and total professionalism.
The military doesn’t have all the answers and has recognised there are many excellent
lessons from industry. I was really impressed when I met members of Ultimate
Performance’s first-rate team – a winning formula with a mix of well-motivated, high-calibre
ex-military and experienced industry professionals. I am really excited at the prospect of
working with them to provide high-quality training for those who wish to become DEAs and
GDAs. A common theme from poor training providers offering cut-price courses is that
students obtain a bare qualification but subsequently do not have the confidence to carry out
the job. I am determined that the Ultimate Performance DEA and GDA course will provide
candidates with the knowledge and support to pass the course plus, in many ways more
importantly, the ability and confidence to carry out the job from the very first day in their
exciting new life.’
See the advertisement on pages 23 & 46
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Enhanced learning credits: dos and don’ts
Enhanced learning credits:
dos and don’ts
Learners should:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
ensure that they understand the regulations (Joint Service
Publication (JSP) 898, Part 4, Chapter 3)
consult education/learning staff and line managers to discuss
their personal development plan
plan ahead, leaving at least five weeks between submitting a
claim and needing to book a course
not commit payment contributions to providers until they
receive a claim authorisation note (CAN)
be prepared to provide evidence that the intended course is at
least at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) level 3 (or
equivalent) and that it directly benefits the Service, unless the
claim is resettlement‐related during last two years of Service
ensure the provider has approved provider status by checking
the ELCAS website at www.enhancedlearning credits.co.uk
not automatically assume that approved provider status means
that the entire portfolio of a provider’s courses meets the level 3
requirement
●
●
●
●
●
●
ensure the training is delivered by an approved ELC provider if
using individual resettlement training cost (IRTC) grant with
ELC to fund a level 3 or above nationally recognised qualification
consult their education, learning, training and/or resettlement
adviser if they are unsure as to the best use of funding for
resettlement training
never enrol on a course or commit themselves financially
without having first obtained the necessary approval from their
own Service and a claim authorisation note from ELCAS
never enrol on a course with a new provider awaiting ‘approved’
status; wait until this has been achieved; if it takes too long, look
on the ELCAS website for an alternative provider
remember that the scheme operates a strict ‘three hits and
you’re out’ policy; think carefully before submitting a claim
inform ELCAS if last day in Service alters from that originally
stated
complete and return the evaluation questionnaire on completion
of study; if they do not and cannot provide evidence of course
completion, future claims will be denied.
“Think carefully before
submitting a claim”
Education/learning staff authorised to approve
ELC claims should:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
36
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
ensure the learner fully understands the details of the scheme
ensure individuals are eligible to claim by seeing their
‘acknowledgement of scheme membership’
ensure before granting approval that claims meet the higher‐level
learning criteria
when in doubt, seek proof – one useful source of information
being http://register.ofqual.gov.uk
not assume that approved provider status covers the entire range
of a provider’s courses
be aware of the rules permitting the use of ELC or SLC with IRTC
to fund the same eligible learning activity in resettlement
where required, advise Service leavers on the best use of available
funding to pay towards learning activities where it meets the
criteria of either the ELC or SLC schemes
advise individuals that the scheme is not retrospective and they
should always allow sufficient time between submitting a claim,
receiving a claim authorisation note and committing themselves
financially
if in doubt, seek the advice of headquarters education/learning
staff
ensure the scheme works and that the regulations surrounding it
are strictly observed – because failure to do so will place the
scheme at risk.
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
.................................................
Performance People Ltd
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Become a fully qualified
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NLP Practitioner (ABNLP) & NLP Practitioner Coach (ANLP)
NLP Master Practitioner (ABNLP) & NLP Master Practitioner Coach (ANLP)
Any person, team or organisation interested in developing themselves or other people with
coaching, mentoring or NLP are invited to contact Mark Woodhouse on 07976-821333 or
email their enquiry to mark@performancepeople.org. We look forward to speaking soon
and any opportunity of helping with your performance, learning & development.
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ChrysalisCourses.co.uk
salisCourses.co.uk
0844 411 9362
9362
Courses naattionwide
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Vocational qualifications
Vocational
qualifications
Overview
Assessors and verifiers
hrough the lifelong learning programme, everybody in Britain is
being encouraged to learn throughout their lives. Learning is as
much to do with personal satisfaction and developing interests and
hobbies as with improving job prospects.
Two types of qualification build up a personal development record:
academic and vocational. While most qualifications include both
academic and vocational elements, they tend to be classified by
whether the majority of the work to achieve them is done in one form
or the other.
Vocational qualifications – which we are looking at in this article –
are work‐related qualifications. They are designed to allow people to
learn in a way that suits them, and to give them the sorts of skills that
employers are looking for. There are many to choose from, in a lot of
different subjects. Vocational qualifications usually consist of a series of
modules that show competence in a particular area, and are often
assessed ‘on the job’ by a supervisor or visiting expert. They are based
on national occupational standards (NOS) developed by employers
and the relevant Sector Skills Councils. Awarding bodies develop
vocational qualifications and the units (or modules) that make them
up. They also approve assessment centres, and may have lists of
recognised training providers.
The Assessor and Verifier awards (commonly known as A&V awards or
units) have been replaced by Assessor and Quality Assurer awards. The
following assessment qualifications (with appropriate quality
assurance qualifications) are now available.
●
Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work
Environment – appropriate for staff who assess S/NVQs or QCF
qualifications that use ‘NVQ’ in their title, or who are involved in
assessing and quality assuring qualifications within the QCF whose
purpose is to confirm occupational competence.
●
Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement
– appropriate for staff who assess non‐NVQ or non‐competence‐
based vocational qualifications within the QCF on a ‘devolved’
basis meeting agreed standards of assessment.
●
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement –
appropriate for those whose role involves the assessment of both
occupational competence and vocationally related achievement.
Each new qualification includes a unit that covers all the essential
knowledge and understanding that assessors or quality assurance staff
need, plus one or more units that describe competent practice. This
means that, if you are new to assessment and hoping to become an
assessor, you can take the first unit and gain an understanding of
assessment principles and practices even before you are in a position to
practise assessment. When you are in a position to practise, you can
undertake the additional unit(s). You can read more about these on the
archived LLUK site at: collections.europarchive.org/tna/
20110214161207/http:/www.lluk.org/documents/assessing‐and‐quality‐
assuring‐assessment‐guidance‐final‐april10‐v1%282%29.pdf.
If you contact the National Awarding Bodies directly, they should be
able to give you more information about the qualifications and their
availability. Their contact details are as follows:
● Ascentis (formerly OCNW), Website: www.ascentis.co.uk,
Tel: 01524 845046
●
City & Guilds, Website: www.city‐and‐guilds.co.uk, Tel: 020 7294
2800
●
Edexcel, Website: www.edexcel.org.uk, Tel: 0844 576 0031
●
OCR, Website: www.ocr.org.uk, Tel: 01223 553 998
●
Education Development International, Website: www.ediplc.com,
Tel: 02476 516560
Ofqual has confirmed that those with the former D units, A units or V
units (or Scottish equivalents) do not need to re‐qualify but must be
aware of and operate in accordance with the new qualification
standards.
T
Vocational qualifications in the Services
The vast majority of military training is a mix of task‐orientated
training and personal development. In most cases this training now
also provides nationally recognised qualifications so that individual
achievements in uniform can be understood by a future civilian
employer.
From ensuring that everybody achieves the new functional skills
(see below), which have now replaced key skills, to providing academic
and vocational qualifications for those that need them for their
employment, all Service people are educated during their initial
training period. Personal development is encouraged through the
introduction of the personal development record (PDR), and funding
such as the standard and enhanced learning credits (SLC and ELC).
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PROVIDER NUMBER
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Functional skills
The functional skills mentioned above are a new type of qualification.
They were launched in 2010 and have now replaced the old main key
skills qualifications (Application of number, Communication, and
Information and communication technology). They are designed to
help people build the practical skills that will enable them to get the
most out of work, education and everyday life. Functional skills are
practical skills in English, Mathematics, and Information and
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Vocational qualifications
communication technology (ICT) that allow individuals to work
confidently, effectively and independently, and know when and how to
use this knowledge in real‐life situations. Those who possess these
skills will be able to participate and progress successfully in education,
training and employment. They will also be able to develop and secure
the broader range of aptitudes, attitudes and behaviours that will
enable them to make a positive contribution to the communities in
which they live and work.
The functional skills qualifications are widely available (e.g. in
colleges and the workplace) and, to ensure that they are readily
accessible to the full range of learners, are offered as:
●
standalone qualifications
●
a component of GCSE English, mathematics and ICT
●
a component of the new Foundation, Higher and Advanced
Diplomas
●
part of all Foundation Learning programmes
●
a component in apprenticeship frameworks.
The ‘wider’ key skills qualifications (Improving own learning and
performance, Problem solving and Working with others) will continue
to be offered across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
To find out more about functional skills, visit the relevant section
of the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
website www.ofqual.gov.uk (click on ‘Qualifications and Assessment’,
then ‘Functional skills’).
National vocational qualifications (NVQs) and
Scottish vocational qualifications (SVQs)
Both are work‐based qualifications that describe what competent
people in a particular job are expected to be able to do. They include all
the main aspects of an occupation and are classified according to the
competence levels required. They involve applying knowledge to:
●
level 1 – varied but routine and predictable tasks
●
level 2 – varied tasks, often in a team, some of which may be non‐
routine and complex
●
level 3 – range of non‐routine and complex tasks, with
responsibility and control of others
●
level 4 – broad range of complex work activities, involving resource
management
●
level 5 – wide variety of contexts with responsibility and allocation
of resources.
They are made up of units based on the NOS, and are achieved
through assessment. Assessors establish what the candidate can do
already, agree on the standard and level to be reached, analyse what
needs to be learned and agree activities that will meet these needs.
HNC and HND courses are provided by more than 400 universities
and further education colleges. HNCs can take one year to complete
full‐time and two years part‐time (or via, say, distance learning). HNDs
take two years full‐time and can also be taken part‐time (which takes
longer). (The award of an HND requires more units to be passed than
for an HNC.) They equate to approximately halfway between an A‐
level and a degree, although they are, as mentioned above, more
practically based than the latter. HNCs are at level 4 and HNDs at level
5 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) (see the feature
on this elsewhere in this issue).
BTECs, City & Guilds and OCR Nationals
If you want to learn more about a particular job or area of work, you
could choose to study for a BTEC, City & Guilds or OCR National
qualification. These are particular types of work‐related qualification
that are recognised and valued by employers. As with other vocational
qualifications, you study for these if you are interested in learning
more about a particular industry or sector. Because they have been
designed in collaboration with industry, they can equip those studying
for them with the kind of skills and knowledge that employers are
looking for.
They are available in a wide range of subjects, including: business,
health and social care, IT, public services, science and sport. Although
they are usually studied full‐time at college, they can be taken part‐
time, too. These qualifications can lead to either a job or further study
– for example, you could progress from a qualification at one level to
higher levels in the same or related area of study, which could
eventually lead to professional qualifications or act as a route into
higher education, such as taking an HNC or HND (see above).
You can find out more about the specific qualifications on offer by
visiting the website of the relevant awarding body:
●
BTEC qualifications from Edexcel – www.edexcel.com/quals
●
City & Guilds – www.cityandguilds.com
●
OCR National – www.ocrnationals.com.
Foundation degrees
Foundation degrees address the skills deficit at higher
technician/associate professional level, combining learning and job
experience for people who want to ‘earn and learn’. Students gain 240
‘points’ towards a full degree course, and full account will be taken of
prior learning and experience. Recent developments, including
syllabus, university partnerships and funding, make these increasingly
available to people in the Services.
Access Diplomas
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are available at apprentice (one‐year) and at advanced
apprentice (two‐year) levels. They are again work‐based, and both are
programmes that include the functional skills (see above), a technical
certificate (usually) and an NVQ/SVQ at level 3 (advanced apprentice)
and at level 2 (apprentice). They are available in over 80 different
industrial and commercial sectors. Many military courses now award
these qualifications, sometimes after a period in a unit where the skills
can be practised.
The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma – often referred toby its
shorthand form, Access Diploma – is a qualification that prepares
Higher national certificates (HNCs) and higher
national diplomas (HNDs)
HNCs and HNDs are work‐related (vocational) higher education
qualifications. While bachelors degrees tend to focus on gaining
knowledge, HNCs and HNDs are designed to give you the skills to put
that knowledge to effective use in a particular job. Highly valued by
employers, both in the UK and overseas, they can also count towards
membership of professional bodies and other employer organisations.
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Vocational qualifications
students for study at university, and is designed for those who would
like to study in HE but who left school without the usual qualifications,
such as A‐levels. It is widely accepted by universities and colleges,
having been developed with their support, and is designed to provide a
good grounding in the knowledge and study skills needed to succeed
in higher education. Although it is equivalent to A‐levels, the courses
are put together with people who haven’t studied for a while in mind –
and most don’t require prior qualifications.
There are more than 1,000 courses leading to the Diploma,
including subjects such as nursing, art and design, and business studies
– as well as a range of others. Many are suited to study part‐time or in
the evenings, which adds to their flexibility. Most further education
colleges in England and Wales offer such Access courses, and a number
are available through distance learning, so you should be able to find a
course that is convenient for you, and that caters for your interests or
career ambitions. Many ‘Access students’ go on to succeed at university
and beyond, with a great many pursuing new careers and seeing their
lives change in ways they had never thought possible.
You can find out more about Access to HE courses, browse courses
and read success stories at: www.accesstohe.ac.uk, the Access to
Higher Education homepage.
To find out more about getting in to HE as a mature student, visit
the relevant section of the Directgov website at: www.direct.gov.uk
(click on ‘Education and learning’, followed by ‘University and higher
education’, then ‘Getting into higher education as a mature student’).
‘Vocational qualifications on the Qualifications and Credit Framework
(QCF)’, which can be found in the ‘Education and learning’ area of the
website. You can read more about the QCF in the dedicated article
elsewhere in this magazine.
Other courses
This article focuses on career‐enhancing courses, but there is a vast
range of vocational training also available in areas that may be of
general interest, or contribute to an individual’s hobby or sport.
Becoming a football referee or a cricket umpire, learning to play a
musical instrument, creative writing or car maintenance are just a few
examples of the selection on offer in colleges and schools throughout
the UK.
How to get vocational qualifications
As part of everyday work
Vocational qualifications are work‐based, so the ideal place to learn
and practise them is at work, and most assessment is carried out in the
workplace. Therefore many people can only gain units that are
appropriate to their job. However, provided that suitably qualified
assessors are present, there is no reason why people cannot continue to
build up a vocational portfolio as they carry out their normal work
activities. For example, some military skills, like instruction and
supervision, fit very well into a portfolio, and vocational qualifications
at a higher level than those obtained through military courses can be
awarded to the enthusiast who wants to work for them.
New vocational qualifications
These new work‐related qualifications are located on the QCF. This
framework groups qualifications together into a number of ‘levels’ that
place different demands on the learner. To find out more about these
new qualifications, visit www.direct.gov.uk and click on the link
On courses
It is also possible to gain vocational qualifications on courses, but this
may have to be during leave or time off because the practical element
in them often means they take place in working hours, and those with
a job can find it hard to get enough time off to complete the workplace
assessment. Course details can usually be found through education or
learning staff, a local library or a learndirect centre (see
www.learndirect.co.uk).
Where to learn
With many qualifications being earned through students completing a
number of modules, the distinction between higher education
(generally academic) and further education (often vocational) can be
unclear. Credits from a selection of courses can often be added
together to gain degrees and other HE qualifications, and it is not
always necessary to have a first degree to gain a master’s, and certainly
not necessary for many professional qualifications.
As well as learning establishments, many commercial
organisations, often operating in highly specialised areas, provide
training to paying clients. Much is of excellent quality and targeted
carefully at the needs of civilian employers.
Qualifications can be earned through full‐time courses, part‐time
courses, day release, night school, open learning and distance learning
(see the feature elsewhere in this magazine). There will usually be
more times when students get together for joint study periods in open
learning, with distance learning generally catering for students who are
so far away that they study almost entirely by themselves.
Sources of help
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ELC
Line managers should be the first point of contact. Each unit has an
education/learning specialist, and each Service also has a network of
educational and learning centres where advice can be found and ideas
explored.
PROVIDER NUMBER
1876
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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We offer an impressive range of undergraduate and postgraduate work-related courses,
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Approved providers and preferred suppliers – the differences
Approved providers and preferred suppliers
– the differences
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ELC
PROVIDER NUMBER
8888
o clear up any confusion concerning the
difference between learning credits –
enhanced learning credits (ELC) and
standard learning credits (SLC) – and the
individual resettlement training cost (IRTC)
grant, it is important to understand that they
are used in different ways. Learning credits
are primarily about funding nationally
recognised qualifications, and Service people
must meet the requirements of the
individual scheme criteria to qualify. The
IRTC grant is available to eligible Service
leavers to purchase resettlement training.
Under certain circumstances individuals can
claim either ELC or SLC in addition to IRTC
during resettlement, and both these grants
may be authorised by the same line manager
and education/learning/resettlement adviser.
It is now permissible to use either ELC or
SLC, together with IRTC, to pay for the same
learning activity where the activity meets the
requirements of the ELC or SLC scheme. The
process of claiming remains unchanged and
claims should continue to be submitted in
accordance with current learning credit or
resettlement policy. In effect, these grants
continue to be independent of each other,
but it makes sense, where there is advantage
to the Service leaver, to use all available
funding during resettlement. If using IRTC
T
42
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
with ELC to pay towards a nationally
recognised qualification, an ELC approved
provider must be used.
Approved providers are organisations
that have met the MoD’s criteria to be
permitted to run courses that qualify for ELC
funding (at level 3 or above on the National
Qualifications Framework/Qualifications and
Credit Framework). They are on a list
maintained by the ELC Administration
Service (ELCAS) and only such providers may
be used if ELC are to be claimed. A provider
not on the approved provider list may apply
to ELCAS for ‘approved’ status if it has
someone wishing to undertake ELC‐funded
training with it – this may take some time, so
needs to be done well in advance, before
potential customers start a course.
Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
preferred suppliers are organisations that
have been assessed by the MoD as being
suitable training providers for people
undertaking their resettlement programmes.
Although Service leavers are encouraged to
use preferred suppliers, they may use the
IRTC for any resettlement programme
approved by their line manager and
resettlement specialist.
Individuals who have registered for ELC
can make use of them for up to ten years after
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leaving the Services using approved
providers. There is no similar facility with the
IRTC.
Some approved providers will also be
preferred suppliers, although some will not
be. Individuals therefore need to ensure they
are looking at the right list.
The basic guide is:
●
in‐Service (including last two years
resettlement phase) = learning = ELC =
approved provider = ELCAS
●
leaving = resettlement (not also using
ELC for same activity) = IRTC = preferred
supplier = CTP.
Travelling expenses may be claimed for
attending authorised ELC provision subject
to the regulations contained in JSP 752 (Tri‐
Service Regulations for allowances) Chap 4
Section 1 Para 04.0133.b and local budget
approval. No claims for subsistence are
allowable.
Where ELC is being used in conjunction
with IRTC and Graduated Resettlement
Time, it may be permissible to claim both
subsistence and travel in accordance with JSP
752 Chap 3 Section 1 Para 03.0138 and Chap 4
Section 1 Para 04.0133.e. In such cases, the
validity of such claims is to be assessed
against the criteria laid down in JSP 534 (the
Tri‐Service Resettlement Manual).
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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The ELC claims process for those who are no longer in the Armed Forces
The ELC claims process
for those who are no longer
in the Armed Forces
lways refer to the ELCAS website
(www.enhancedlearningcredits.co.uk) or
single‐Service websites for the latest
information about the ELC scheme. Check
that the learning provider is an approved
MoD ELC provider by searching the list on the
ELCAS site.
A
The current scheme membership of learning
providers offers a good geographic spread
across the UK, and a range of qualifying
academic and vocational courses across a
wide and diverse skills spectrum. Claimants
are encouraged to use existing providers.
There is no guarantee that a new provider
will be accepted on to the scheme, especially
if there is already sufficient existing
provision. A key aim of the MoD is to keep
provider membership within manageable
limits.
Ensure that the course you wish to
undertake results in a qualification at level 3
or above on the National Qualifications
Framework (NQF) or Qualifications and
Credit Framework (QCF), or equivalent. To
do this, ask the learning provider who the
awarding body is that accredits the course.
Contact the awarding body to get
confirmation that the qualification is
recognised on the NQF/QCF and is at least
level 3. You may need proof that the
qualification is on the NQF/QCF to send in
with your claim, particularly if the course
you are undertaking is unusual.
Seriously consider whether you can cope
with the study level of the course you wish to
undertake. Have you got the time? Be aware
of the learning provider’s policy if you do
44
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
have to withdraw from the course. Some will
give refunds; others will not.
Do not part with any money to the
provider without full authorisation of your
claim through having received your claim
authorisation note (CAN) (see below).
Ensure that you make a claim at least one
month before you need to make any
payment for the course. Be aware that no
training you have already completed or paid
for can be claimed back under the ELC
scheme retrospectively. Ex‐Service personnel
who registered on the ELC scheme while
serving may claim up to £1,000 per financial
year towards course fees if they completed
four years’ Service or £2,000 if they
completed eight or more years’ Service;
please note that qualifying service is
measured from either 1 April 2000 or date of
enlistment, whichever is the later. Three
claims may be made in total (including any
made while still serving). Claims may be
made for up to ten years from last day of
service.
To make a claim, download the form
from the ELCAS website and fully complete
it, except for Parts 4 and 5 – staff in the
single Services will complete these elements.
Then send the fully completed claim form to
the relevant address, with:
●
proof of last day of service
●
information about the course, including
proof of level of qualification
●
photocopy of a utility bill, showing home
address
●
photocopy of driving licence or passport
(showing photo)
●
telephone number (daytime).
If your claim is eligible, it will be forwarded
to ELCAS, which will check you are
registered for the ELC scheme and are
eligible. ELCAS will return a CAN to your
single‐Service education/learning staff, with
an evaluation form. They will in turn forward
them to your home address. This process
takes around two weeks.
On receipt of the CAN, you can proceed
with payment by sending your CAN with
your 20% minimum contribution to the
training provider. The CAN enables the
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training provider to invoice Defence
Business Services for the rest of the fees up a
total of £1,000/£2,000, as appropriate.
When you have completed your course,
you must also complete the evaluation form
and return it to ELCAS. If you do not do this
it could jeopardise your next claim. If you
have any doubts about any aspect of this
process, contact your single‐Service
education/learning representative for advice
before submitting the claim.
WHERE TO SEND CLAIMS IF
YOU ARE NO LONGER SERVING
Royal Navy: FLEET FOST TA EL3R RESET
SO3C, Floor 3, Leach Building, Whale
Island, Portsmouth PO2 8BY
Tel: 02392 625954, email: FLEET‐FOST‐
TAEL3RRESETSO3C@mod.uk
Those personnel still serving in the Royal
Navy are not to use this point of contact
but are to consult the staff in their local
RN Education Centre.
Army: ELC Manager, DETS (A), Ramilles
Building, Marlborough Lines, Andover,
Hampshire SP11 8HJ Tel: 01264 381575 or
01264 381580, email: elc@detsa.co.uk
Those personnel still serving in the Army
are not to use this point of contact but are
to consult staff in their Army Education
Centre
Royal Air Force: Learning Credits
Administrator, Room 227, Trenchard Hall,
RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincolnshire,
NG34 8HB. Tel: 01400 268182, email:
22TrgGp‐TP‐ACCRED‐SO3@mod.uk
CNLIS are encouraged to refer to the area
on the Learning Forces website entitled
‘Using your Enhanced Learning Credit
after you leave the RAF’. Those personnel
still serving in the Royal Air Force are to
consult the staff in their local Learning
Centre.
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Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
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Upcoming courses:
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Durham, Salisbury, Waterloo and Oxford
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JUNE:
Portsmouth, DundeeChathamDQG/LQFROQ
‡ On-site instructor training available at reduced rates
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Spring 2013
45
www.courses4forces.co.uk
Claimants must consult with their education staff to check eligibility for ELC funding before making any commitment to study
Exemption from taxation for
payments made to Service leavers
under the Enhanced Learning
MRC and MoD have worked together and reached an agreement
on tax exemption for Enhanced Learning Credit (ELC) payments
to Service leavers under the ELC and Further and Higher Education
Commitment (FHEC) schemes, effective from 2 September 2012.
H
Background
The Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme provides large‐scale
help to personnel who qualify to help pay towards the cost of
higher‐level learning and is funded by the single Services. Eligible
personnel make a personal contribution of 20% of the total course
fees and can receive a single payment, in each of a maximum of
three separate financial years, of up to £1k or £2k (depending on
qualifying scheme membership) to cover up to a maximum of 80%
of course fees.
In addition, in July 2008, the government made a commitment
to providing Service leavers (SL) with access to a first full level 3
(GCE A level or vocational equivalent) or a first higher education
qualification (a first foundation degree or first undergraduate degree
or equivalent) free from tuition fees.1 The MoD engaged with other
government departments (OGD), particularly BIS and the Scottish
GREEN DEAL DOMESTIC ADVISER
APPROVED BY MoD
IN SUPPORT OF
THE ELC SCHEME
E LC
PROVIDER NUMBER
3245
Train for a new career as a Domestic Energy Assessor
(DEA) and Green Deal Domestic Adviser (GDA)
Benefit from the major opportunities
available in the brand-new career of
Green Deal Domestic Adviser. To be a
GDA, you must first qualify as a DEA.
We offer:
• Two highly desirable qualifications in one course
• Specifically designed for military and ex-military personnel
• Reference material provided/ Post course support
• Additional courses may be run at regional training centres
• Eligible for ELCAS funding
and Welsh Devolved Administrations (DA) to set up this additional
Further and Higher Education Commitment (FHEC) scheme. In
effect, MoD pays its contribution towards the course fees as per the
ELC scheme for up to three years, and the relevant OGD and DA
buys out the personal contribution that would have been paid by the
SL using the ELC.
Tax exemption measure
Most courses of study under the ELC scheme undertaken by
individuals whilst still serving will be exempt from taxation, either
as income or as a benefit in kind, if they can be justified as ‘work
related’. In order for SLs to benefit fully from the ELC/FHEC
schemes, tax exemption for their ELC payments was required.
HMRC and MoD have worked together and reached an agreement
on tax exemption, effective from 2 September 2012. This agreement
is in support of the government’s commitment to Service leavers and
the Service Covenant in general.
In placing the ELC and FHEC schemes on a statutory basis, the
Service leaver (or their surviving spouse, civil partner or eligible
partner where appropriate) will not be required to pay income tax
on payments received under the schemes. This measure will enable
Service leavers to draw maximum benefit from the ELC and FHEC
schemes.
KEY CONTACT
Advice on any aspect of the ELC and FHEC schemes is
available from:
Domestic Energy Adviser (DEA)
7-10 May, 17-20 Jun 2013 - £1200 plus VAT
Green Deal Domestic Adviser (GDA)
3-5 Jun, 8-10 Jul 2013 - £1100 plus VAT
Combined DEA/GDA Course Cost £2085 plus VAT
Appt
Name
Contact
SO2 Skills
Sqn Ldr M. Norey
Mil: 9621 86013
Civ: 0207 218 6013
TESRR
01529 304402
Call now as courses fill up very quickly:
email: enquiries@ultimateperformance.eu www.ultimateperformance.eu
1
Cm 7424, dated July 2008: The Nation’s Commitment: Cross‐Government
Support to our Armed Forces, their Families and Veterans.
46
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
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Course notes
Course notes
Terrorism and human rights explored in
ground-breaking course
he renowned part‐time online Certificate in
Terrorism Studies from the University of St
Andrews has introduced a new study module
addressing human rights and the fight against
terrorism. The module can be studied
individually as well as being part of the
Certificate.
The course attracts many Forces personnel
as well as private‐sector close protection staff as
it can be studied from anywhere with an
internet connection and also qualifies for ELC
support. It is an ideal professional development
course, as well as carrying academic credit.
This latest module joins other flexible study
options on cyber‐terrorism, radicalisation,
ideologies and modus operandi of terrorist
groups, CBRN weapons, policing policy,
maritime and aviation terrorism.
The new Human Rights module looks at the
role that human rights standards have in the
fight against terrorism, both in terms of the
duties that they impose to protect civilians from
harm and the constraints they place on the
counter‐terrorism measures that governments
may adopt. It provides an overview of the
international human rights framework, and the
different institutions established to protect
human rights at the international and regional
level, before considering the key concepts
behind the idea of human rights, and its
relationship with democracy and the rule of law.
T
During the module, attention is paid to the
issue of states of emergency, and the idea that
human rights safeguards may be restricted, or
even suspended, during times of crisis, and asks
whether the ‘new normal’ post‐9/11 means that
human rights standards are no longer
meaningful? Or is respect for human rights an
essential aspect of effective counter‐terrorism
policy?
Individual lessons look in detail at the
content of specific rights, including the right to
life, the right to liberty and due process, the
right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, the
right to privacy, and freedom from torture. In
each case the general principle behind each
right, and the particular impact on a wide range
of policy issues relating to terrorism and
counter‐terrorism are explored, including the
use of surveillance, ‘enhanced’ interrogation
methods, drone strikes, secret evidence,
deportation, extradition and detention without
trial. The different kinds of safeguards that may
be adopted in order to prevent counter‐
terrorism measures from being misused are also
covered.
Full details of the course can be found at
www.terrorismstudies.com/FLR2336AA301, or
call 020 3377 3210.
See the advertisement on page 21
2013: your future with telecoms
Rob Gardiner, Senior Lecturer and
Telecommunications Consultant at Ubi‐Tech,
writes …
n these days of fairly widespread austerity and
cutbacks it is apparent that telecoms, and in
particular mobile technology, do not hold with
that view. In fact, the industry predicts a very
healthy growth pattern and is expecting 125,000
jobs to be safeguarded or created with the roll‐
out of 4G in the UK.
We have seen mergers and joint ventures
(JVs) and the JV with the highest profile is that
of EE4G, leaping ahead of Vodafone and O2 on
the Long Term Evolution programme. I met
with the company that maintains the network
for the operators and it is recruiting again, with
an attrition rate of 2% – great news for those
leaving the Forces in the coming months and
years as managerial and engineering staff will
be in demand to run these projects. Vodafone
and O2 will roll out this year and, again,
I
48
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
emphasis is placed upon supplying a network
that will support all the new applications
currently either available or on the drawing
board.
In conjunction with our industry partners,
LightSource, we will become a supplier of
wireless and fibre courses to the industry. We
have developed and deliver up‐to‐the‐minute
training, and have a suite of seven courses
available to Service leavers, covering a broad
spectrum of technologies; they will prepare you
for civilian telecoms and provide a focus on
what’s currently happening. Our wireless
courses are accredited by the University of
Wolverhampton and will lead to a Master’s
degree.
For more information on the courses
provided by Ubi‐Tech, please call Richard on
07814678406 Freephone 08006129193, or email
info@ubi‐tech.co.uk.
Specialist training
and qualification in
coaching and NLP
oaching has been a buzzword for some time
now and is proven to have benefits related to
improved performance, enhanced learning and
getting the best out of people. Neuro linguistic
programming (NLP) is a common‐sense system
of everyday psychology that has enhanced
millions of lives by showing people how to
monitor and adapt their thinking, cultivate
more useful inner beliefs, and develop the skills
and strategies to more easily achieve their
outcomes. Combined, the many benefits of
coaching and NLP are now well recognised in
the contexts of training, management and
leadership, while specialist training and
qualification offers a powerful framework for
personal, professional and organisational
development.
C
“The many benefits of
coaching and NLP are
now well recognised in
the contexts of training,
management and
leadership”
PerformancePeople™ is a niche consulting
company with a true understanding of the
military mindset, a great respect for the military
ethos and a real passion for helping military
people get the very best from themselves. Under
the ELC scheme, it is proud to offer a range of
training courses, certified by the Association of
Neuro Linguistic Programming (ANLP) and the
Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM),
which combine NLP Practitioner and Master
Practitioner certification with additional
qualifications in coaching and mentoring.
PerformancePeople™ has a rolling
programme of training throughout 2011, while
military establishments wishing to sponsor
training of their own are invited to do so. Any
person, team or organisation interested in
developing themselves or others in coaching
and NLP are invited to contact Mark
Woodhouse on 07976 821333 or email their
enquiry to mark@performancepeople.org.
See the advertisement on page 37
See the advertisement on page 28
Search ‘Courses 4 Forces’ in Groups or People
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We can prepare you for civilian life.
Increase your employability by;
r Delivering accredited in-house training for your new employer
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r $POUJOVJOHZPVSJOTFSWJDFQSPGFTTJPOBMEFWFMPQNFOU
Service Personnel are gifted trainers.
Become a fully accredited trainer in;
t NEBOSH/IOSH
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t )FBMUI4BGFUZ
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www.courses4forces.co.uk
Course notes
Case Study
Take the Clearway to driving instructor training
Barry Laker
learway School of Motoring is dedicated to
providing the highest‐quality driving
instructor training possible, for individuals
wishing to engage in a career as a DSA
Approved Driving Instructor – a career that is
virtually guaranteed for life. Our purpose‐built
training centre in Stockton‐on‐Tees offers all
the latest facilities to train in comfort, and you
will receive a very warm welcome.
Clearway has two aims: first, to ensure that
our instructor training students get the best
possible training they can expect, to ensure
they have the best possible chance of
qualifying; second, to ensure that they have
choices in respect of what they wish to do upon
qualification, such as working with Clearway
School of Motoring under our guaranteed job
scheme, working in their own driving school or
working with another school, in their home
area.
We are an ORDIT (Official Register of
Driving Instructor Trainers) company, which is
a registered body under the control of the DSA
(Driving Standards Agency). This register
ensures we teach to a standard laid down by
the DSA; it tells you that we are competent to
teach you to a standard that will enable you to
‘Having left the Army Air Corps in December
2012, after serving for 11 years, I was looking to
start a new career in something hands‐on. After
a bit of investigation into courses and possible
career options, the thought of being my own
boss, able to plan my own time with flexible
working hours to suit me and building my own
business, becoming a locksmith really appealed
to me.
‘I spoke to many locksmith training
providers whose details I found on the internet
and one of the companies that really stood out
was Keytek™. From the outset the staff on the
telephone were friendly, polite and extremely
helpful, with a non‐pressured and informative
approach that really helped and put me at ease. I
was able to speak to their support staff and
trainers directly before booking a course, and
they ran me through exactly what would be
covered and what I could realistically expect
from being locksmith.
‘I was also able to speak to the Keytek™
Recruitment Team, who gave me an idea of the
amount of work I could expect on completion of
the course. Their in‐house Engineer Liaison
team were honest with me about start‐up costs
and answered the many questions I threw at
them! It was for these reasons that I decided to
train with Keytek™ – they stood out to me as
being genuinely the most professional of the
many companies that I had spoken to.
‘The guys in the office were very
knowledgeable about the ELC (Enhanced
Learning Credit) process and I was also able to
speak to them about how to use my funding
towards paying for the course. They have
obviously advised plenty of other candidates and
their knowledge on the ELC system was
invaluable, helping me to understand the whole
booking process.
‘The course itself was run by very
experienced and qualified locksmiths, who were
obviously involved for the love of the industry.
The content included for a level 3 accredited
course was incredible. I learned more than I
imagined possible in my time at the Keytek™
Training Academy facility, which itself is clearly
a massive investment by Keytek™. Since I
completed the course, Keytek™ has been
reaccredited and now offers a level 4 NCFE
accreditation, which I believe is the highest
within the industry and the only company able
to offer it. To me, this again clearly indicates that
Keytek™ is forward thinking and works hard
towards setting the standards within the
industry, which to be honest was evident from
the start.
‘One of my concerns was not only the
amount of work that I could expect but also the
ongoing support I may require out on the road.
I’m now out there, completing work on a
subcontract basis and, although daunting, there
is a 24‐hour (believe me I’ve tested that it is 24
hours!) technical support line and the team at
head office make everything as easy as possible.
‘I can honestly say it was the best decision I
have ever made and I would recommend the
Keytek™ team to anyone looking to get into the
locksmithing industry.’
See the advertisement on page 37
50
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
C
become a driving instructor, and of course is of
sufficient content and up to date.
You can take the course on a flexible or
fast‐track basis. The flexible course will fit
around your commitments, while the fast‐track
course is available to those who have time on
their hands, and can be completed in five
weeks. We offer a one‐day business course, too,
specific to running a driving school. Local,
good‐quality accommodation can be arranged
for those students who need to stay in the area.
We are a friendly company with a passion
for results – and our instructors must like us,
too, as some them are still with us after seven
or eight years! All of our staff are driving
instructors themselves, so any advice they give
you will be sound.
Millions of new learner drivers are
expected in the next 25 years – who is going to
teach them? It could be you! Teaching a skill for
life can be rewarding and enjoyable, with a
good level of income.
For more information visit
www.clearwaydrivingschool.co.uk of call 01642
608 942
See the advertisement on page 19
Kidnap for ransom:
prevention is better than cure!
Nigel Thomas, CEO of Blue Mountain
(BM), writes …
‘Kidnap and ransom (K&R) has long been a
hazard for both the high‐profile individual,
the international business traveller and, of
course, their security teams. Despite
numerous and varied attempts to curb the
threat, K&R remains one of the fastest‐
growing criminal enterprises in the world.
Although reliable statistics on kidnapping can
be difficult to obtain, it is estimated that, each
year, there are now at least 30,000 financially
motivated kidnappings worldwide. The rise in
K&R also comes at a time of increasing
international travel, as globalisation drives
both organisations and individuals to
unfamiliar and less developed countries and
regions – travel to destinations in Africa, the
Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Russia and
parts of eastern Europe being increasingly
common. Unfortunately, many countries
within these regions are politically and
Search ‘Courses 4 Forces’ in Groups or People
economically unstable, some suffering
from a lack of law enforcement and
adequate judicial systems – conditions in
which the phenomenon of K&R thrives.
‘Prevention is always better than cure
and, here at Blue Mountain, we provide
realistic, up‐to‐date training that has
been adapted for the commercial market
using our genuine UK Special Forces’
experiences. Anti‐K&R training is an
integral part of our Close Protection
Course, with unique elements such as
guest speakers who themselves have
survived the kidnapping ordeal. The course
sharpens awareness and teaches avoidance
techniques learned and used by Blue
Mountain (BM) staff while serving with UK
Special Forces and from working in the
commercial sector.
‘Awareness and subsequent avoidance is
the only real counter‐measure to combat
today’s K&R threat. In many instances, the
terrorists’ motive is simply to kill and not to
kidnap for monetary gain. Recent events in
Algeria have highlighted the real threat to
westerners.
If you would like to come along and
observe some training and meet some of the
Blue Mountain team please get in touch by
emailing Carol@bluemountaingroup.co.uk or
via our website: www.bluemountain
group.co.uk. May I take this opportunity to
wish you all the best in your chosen career.
See the advertisement on page 9
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www.courses4forces.co.uk
Course notes
Understand more about
human resources
Our expertise in flexible and accessible education and your passion
to succeed will enable you to get ahead.
A world-class research university, Leicester offers flexible, innovative
courses because we understand that you’ve got other responsibilities.
In fact, we’re committed to making sure that everyone in our vibrant
community gets the very best experience at Leicester, whether
you’re on campus or on the other side of the world.
Whether you choose to study one of our three tailored Masters’ courses,
one of our certificates or diplomas en-route to gaining your BSc honours
degree, or one of our research courses, you will join a global network
of similarly minded professionals and be supported all the way.
Understand more,
get in touch
www.le.ac.uk/clms
+44 (0)116 252 5377
dladvisers@le.ac.uk
Distance Learning
Centre for Labour Market Studies
School of Management
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes
Emergency Medical Services
& NHS Ambulance Services Qualifying Courses
IHCD (Edexcel) BTEC Level 3. ELC Funding Approved
IHCD Ambulance Technician
6 x weeks (6 x 5 days. Mon - Fri)
£3,150
RAMC CMT Class 1 (& RAF, RN
equivalent) conversion to
IHCD Ambulance Technician
2 x weeks (2 x 5 days. Mon - Fri)
£2,100
IHCD D1/D2 Defensive & Emergency
“Blue Light” Ambulance Driving
3 x weeks (3 x 5 days. Mon - Fri)
£2,300
All courses BTEC Level 3 industry standard for
entry to the pre-hospital care sector for NHS
Ambulance Service Trusts, Private Ambulance
Services, or Independent Medical Services
LIFESKILLS
MEDICAL UK
BIRMINGHAM
0121 515 5205
info@lifeskillsmedical.com
www.lifeskillsmedical.com
contact us for course dates
and full details
All charges plus VAT
@Courses4Forces
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51
www.courses4forces.co.uk
Course notes
Transfer your skills: combine nationally
recognised qualifications with NLP
eaving their uniform behind is
undoubtedly one of the most challenging
life experiences that Service men and women
face. Whether you are leaving through choice
or redundancy, the decisions you make now
can help shape your future.
We deliver powerful and exciting Neuro‐
Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner
and Master Practitioner courses coupled with
Institute of Leadership and Management
(ILM) accredited training courses at levels 3
and 5 in Coaching and Mentoring. This
combination of training will ensure that you
are ably equipped to transform the way you
look at life, and how you can best support
those around you in both personal and
professional areas.
Are you keen to transfer skills you have
learned in the military to civilian practice?
Wondering how you can work in the outdoor
industry, an educational environment, a
leadership and management role, coaching or
developing yourself for the future? For those
of you looking for something a little extra
from your resettlement, i2i Development
Solutions Ltd has innovative programmes,
which allow you to combine nationally
recognised qualifications with NLP. For those
with a desire to teach, Preparing (PTTLs),
Certificate (CTTLs) and Diploma (DTTLs) to
teach in the life‐long learning sector can be
delivered alongside NLP to get the most out of
your students, shape their educational
experiences and highly tune your presenting
skills. We are experts in helping people grow
through developing meaningful relationships
at all levels of their chosen careers.
L
A recent Service leaver attended an NLP
Master Practitioner training course in order to
develop skills previously learned at the
Practitioner level. Coupled with considerable
experience in the human resources,
managerial and education arenas, she was
easily able to adopt the valuable lessons
learned from the training and gain
employment within the charity sector,
managing an outdoor education‐focused trust.
Building on several years of experience, she
was able to complement her daily practice
through her communication, creating a
positive learning environment for young
adults while they take stock of their futures,
setting goals and increasing their self‐esteem
while dealing with an unfamiliar environment.
i2i Development Solutions Ltd is expert in
delivering high‐impact practical experiential
programmes that drive change and
transformation by harnessing your knowledge
and experience, and allow it to flourish,
develop and grow. Our directors, consultants
and trainers are all ex‐Service personnel who
share our values and beliefs; this is evident in
the passion with which they carry out their
work. They all have several things in common:
empathy and understanding of the needs of
Service men and women, experience,
knowledge, passion, creativity and a desire to
inspire people to realise their potential.
Contact us now by emailing
info@i2idevelopmentsolutions.com and take
the first steps to unlocking your potential.
See the advertisement on page 5
New dates for health safety
and environmental training courses
orporate Risk Systems (CRS) has
announced new dates for its 2013 training
courses, showing an increase on the number of
courses run in 2012. The new provision covers
the CIEH level 3 Award in Environmental
Management, IOSH SHE Auditing – A
Management Systems Approach, and the new
Train the Trainer – CIEH level 3 Award PTLLS.
Ros Stacey, CRS UK Sales Director, says: ‘We
are going from strength to strength and
increasing our market share of health & safety
and environmental training courses. When
you do something really well and have an
excellent‐quality product, word seems to get
around and people like to recommend our
courses. It seems that, once they have
experienced one of our training courses, they
C
52
Spring 2013
@Courses4Forces
come back for further training to enhance
both their knowledge and career prospects.’
Due to demand, CRS has also added
another two venues to its already impressive
11. Open training course will be run from both
Edinburgh (4‐star: Novotel, Edinburgh) and
Milton Keynes (4‐star: Mercure – Park House
Hotel). Both hotels have excellent facilities to
unwind after a hard day in the training room.
Bookings are now being taken for the opening
of these two new venues in July 2013.
For further information about CRS
training courses and to see the list of dates,
please visit www.crsrisk.com or call 01283
509175.
Why choose to be a
manager or a leader
when you can do
both?
o you aspire to be a great manager or an
inspired leader? If you pick up a textbook on
leadership or management, it may well separate
the two roles, and perhaps describe a manager as
someone who places emphasis on systems and
structures, and a reliance on control, while a
leader is seen as someone who places emphasis on
people, innovation and the development of trust,
someone who influences and challenges.
In today’s business world, however, leaders
are increasingly required to work with
management information and data, given the
enhancements of technology and drivers such as
key performance indicators. Not forgetting, too,
the need within any organisation to have an
understanding of financial management, cash
flow, resourcing, quality and customer service.
In such a challenging environment, both
leaders and managers are needed to enable
businesses to recognise where they need to go and
then how to get there. The key to success,
however, is to develop and use both sets of skills.
Demonstrate to a potential employer that you
have these skills with a qualification in
Management and Leadership. cHRysos HR
Solutions Ltd, which has longstanding experience
of training military personnel, provides CMI‐
accredited qualifications in Team Leading at level
3, and Management and Leadership at levels 5 and
7. You have a choice of subjects to study so that
you can build a programme to reflect your
management and leadership skill sets, and you
can study at your own pace: fast‐track or over a
longer duration.
On completion you can choose to be assessed
for professional membership of the Chartered
Management Institute.
For further information, please contact Julie
Gordon, email julie@chrysos.org.uk, call 01302
802128 or visit the cHRysos website at
www.chrysos.org.uk.
D
See the advertisement on page 29
See the advertisement on page 5
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www.courses4forces.co.uk
Course notes
Learn to recognise and deal with stress on the
Biomedic Foundation’s intensive PTSD course
his three‐day intensive self‐help course is
an entry‐level education course for Service
people who wish to advance in the field of
assisting those affected by PTSD, as well as for
those affected by stress.
PTSD consists of a variety of symptoms,
ranging from very mild to disabling, such as
anxiety or depressive states, but also including
more body‐orientated symptoms such as
general pain and signs of tiredness, or a variety
of other problems, ranging from digestive to
immune system disorders.
The Biomedic Foundation has been
dealing with stress since the 1990s and the war
in former Yugoslavia, where it gathered the
necessary expertise – and received Millennium
Awards for this effort. It also developed an
educational charity, the Academy for
Bioregulatory Medicine, to offer an effective
educational programme for early stress
detection and the application of bioregulatory
holistic treatment to remove in‐built stress in
body and mind.
T
Our approach is based on the homeostatic
principles of enhancing healing – corrective
mechanisms. The course follows different
methods of tackling stress, from removing
structural musculo‐connective restrictions as
well as higher‐system involvement in
reprogramming perception or lifestyle
changes. The aim of the course is to enable
participants to recognise stress as well as to
teach them how to deal with it.
The course is run in spring and autumn
and, as mentioned at the outset, lasts three
days. It takes place in central London, in a
friendly and supportive environment, with
combined theory and practical exercises.
Please contact the Registrar on 020
79356866 to find out more, or read about the
course on www.biomedic.co.uk, where you can
download a course application form for your
ELCAS officer.
See the advertisement on page 20
Exercise focus: tennis ball releases for
improved alignment
Drummond Education Biomechanics Coach, Jo
Everill‐Taylor, writes …
n Pilates, personal training and, as level 4
back pain instructors, we are looking to
maintain and align the body – from the arches
of the feet to the head. Let’s focus on the back
to see how a simple tennis ball can help us
keep alignment.
I
Tennis ball wall massage for hip, shoulder
and back
You can use a tennis ball to help loosen off
some of the muscles that support the pelvis,
which can in turn lead to better alignment and
relief of hip and sciatic pain. You can also
explore other tight areas such as the back and
shoulder, which are linked to the alignment of
the body via their soft tissue connections.
First, you need to ‘map’ out your body to find
the areas to work on.
Stand with your back to a wall and pop the
tennis ball under one buttock. Massage
around until you find a ‘sweet spot’. Work
around this area, gradually increasing the
pressure. (You may not necessarily have any
tight areas so just move on when you need to!)
Move up the back towards the shoulder
blade, focusing on any areas that feel sore or
tighter.
Repeat on the other side. Pay attention to
which areas are sore, and make these the ones
you focus on each day – your map. Aim to
massage them morning and evening for
around 20 seconds or until the soreness starts
to dissipate.
All releases are to be done when you are
warm and have been up for at least an hour in
the morning, in order to allow the body to
respond at its best.
Find out more about training
If you would like to become an Advanced
Instructor in Personal Training, Pilates, Back
Pain or Weight Management, contact
Drummond Education today by emailing
admin@drummondeducation.com or visit
www.drummondeducation.com.
See the advertisement on page 21
@Courses4Forces
Search ‘Courses 4 Forces’ in Groups or People
Imp ort ant note:
ove rse as div ing
tra ining under
ELC/re set tlement
sch eme s
Due to ongoing safety assuran ce issues, the MoD has
decided , with regret, to withdraw ELC/res ettleme nt
approva l and funding for all oversea s diving training,
with the possible excepti on of Cyprus, including UKbased compan ies providing diving training in oversea s
location s.
Those compan ies who have passed the interim
paper assuran ce survey as supervi sed by DSEA and are
current ly listed on the ELCAS website
(www.e nhance dlearni ng credits.com) will be given a
‘window ’ in order to process and provide training for
any applicat ions that may current ly be in progres s, or
to process applicat ions from personnel who already
have diving training as part of an overall
resettle ment plan to work oversea s and who
subsequently apply to complete a course of training.
All such training courses should be completed by 28
June 2013. No authori ty will be given, or paymen t
made, for any training underta ken after this date.
Diving training with training provide rs taking
place in the UK remain s permiss ible.
Inter ac t wi th
Courses4Forces!
Follow and link up with Courses4Forces
on social media . We’d love to have you on
board ! Join, net work, comment and post
your own discus sions. Here’s all the
inform ation you need …
Twitte r
@Courses4Fo rces
LinkedIn
Course s4Forc es Group:
http://www.linkedin.com /group s/Courses-4Forces-Magaz ine-4749902?trk=m yg_ugr p_ovr
Course s4Forc es Profile :
http://www.linkedin.com /pub/c ourses-4forces-magaz ine/61/653/161
Facebo ok
https://www.facebo ok.com /course s4forc es
Website
www.c ourses4force s.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/courses4forces
Spring 2013
53
www.courses4forces.co.uk
Index to advertisers
Company name
Index to
advertisers
Key
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North-west England
East England
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Greater London
Northern Ireland
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54
Spring 2013
EM
NWE
EE
NEE
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GL
NI
Y&H
SC
WM
SWE
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@Courses4Forces
ELC no.
Region
Phone no.
Page no.
AAJ Locksmiths
4354
Y&H
01924 360444
10
Able Skills
2411
SEE
0808 100 3245
23
Academy for Bioregulatory Medicine
4369
GL
0207 935 6866
20
ARC Training
5441
Global
01189 841040
33
Avtech2000
1009
Global
01892 770250
33
Blackford Centre
2558
Global
0800 781 1715
23
Blue Mountain Group
5027
W
01267 241907
9
Blue Screen
1841
SWE
0845 4900 465
9
Boat Building Academy
1813
SWE
01297 445545
4
Bristol Management Centre
1024
SWE
0117 9491500
45
BSI Training
1693
National
0845 086 9000
6&7
Business Safety Systems
1024
Global
01179 491500
31
Carlton Institute of Beauty
2029
SWE
01395 226622
43
Cherith Simmons Learning & Development
3345
Global
01932 856 565
13
Chrysalis
2760
National
0844 411 9362
37
29
cHRysos HR Solutions
3069
Y&H
07939 518451
Clearway School of Motoring
5563
National
01642 608942
19
College of Estate Management
1322
Global
0800 0199697
19
36
Contour Academy
3452
EE
01406 330504
Corporate Risk Systems
2227
National
01283 509175
5
Cycle Systems Academy
3177
GL
020 7608 2577
2
Drummond Education
4752
Global
0871 221 9422
21
E-Careers
2115
Global
01279 814876
47
Edinburgh Napier University
1159
National
0131 4554348
29
European Golf
1432
SEE
020 8462 4120
18
European Institute of Fitness
2311
Global
0845 0944 007
8
Excellentia Limited
3798
GL
0207 060 2130
11
Fast Trak
1078
WM
01743 460460
4
Gastec Training & Assessment Centres Ltd
1619
EE
0800 1958 066
56
Global Marine Systems
2973
SWE
01305 828104
45
HL Training Services
3368
SWE
01179 525625
14
i2i Development Solutions
3836
Global
0845 121 0475
5
IBC Global Academy
2035
Global
0203 377 3210
21
ILEX Tutorial College
1105
Global
01234 844300
18
Inspire 360
3300
National
0845 803 0360
43
Keytek Locksmith Academy
4682
SWE
01202 711195
37
Learner Driving Centres
3393
National
0800 197 0010
27
Lifeskills Medical
2626
WM
01215 155205
51
27
Lighthouse Safety
3887
SEE
01634 260631
Longmoor Security
3217
Global
01295 756380
41
Nuco
1349
SW
08456 444 999
19, 45
OMS
3228
EM
0845 1300616
13
Performance Learning & Development
3015
Global
07976 821333
37
Phoenix Health & Safety
3518
National
0845 500 8811
5
PIP
4121
EE
0800 111 6303
49
PPTutor Online
1940
Global
07850 819219
14
RMH Training
3084
Global
0845 880 1560
39
RMT Motorcycle Training
3565
WM
01527 500333
38
Securewest International
2927
SWE
01548 856001
43
Sigma Studies
5637
EE
01375 671111
33
South Devon College
2956
SWE
01803 540725
13
South West Assessment and Training
2432
SWE
01579 348544
9
Southampton Solent University
1876
Global
02380 319888
40
Steve Willis
1664
SEE
01444 870860/02392 190190
41
Task
1245
SEE
01233 614796
21
The Training Foundation
3802
Global
02476 411288
55
Ubi-tech
1332
WM
0800 612 9193
28
UK Trades Training
4122
NEE
01914 547733
27
Ultimate Performance Business Solutions
3245
Y&H
01529 304402
23, 46
Underwater Centre
1593
SC
01397 703786
43
United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA)
1394
SWE
01983 203040
32
Global
0116 252 5377
51
Univ of Leicester (Centre for Labour Market Studies) 1450
Univ Teesside
1716
NEE
01642 384176
41
West Anglian Training
1495
EE
01480 435544
15
Search ‘Courses 4 Forces’ in Groups or People
https://www.facebook.com/courses4forces
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For full details on all our TAP Diplomas, visit
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