On this page you will find information about:
- Support accessing training and further education.
- Employment grants available.
- The skills health check quiz.
Finding a job can be one of the hardest parts of leaving the Armed Forces. Approaching the job market is challenging for anyone.
If you feel you need additional training or education to boost your skills and improve your chances of getting a job, there are various services available to help you.
Skills health check
The Skills Health Check is a set of quizzes and activities designed to help job seekers explore their skills, interests and motivations.
Visit the National Careers Service website to complete the quizzes.
Training and Employment Support from the MOD
The MOD has schemes to support the careers and education of personnel during their service, transition period and life as a veteran. This includes support for those who have received a medical discharge.
You may also be eligible for support
from the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) who provide the MOD’s resettlement support. They provide a range of resettlement guidance including:
- Learning about your transferable skills and achievements.
- Finding a job including writing CVs and application forms.
- Education and training support.
- Self-employment.
- Retirement, pensions, housing, health and working credits.
Learn more about how the CTP could support you on their website.
Standard Learning Credits – for those who are currently serving or in their resettlement period
Standard Learning Credits (SLC) supports the careers and education of personnel whilst in service or during their resettlement period.
Through the SLC scheme, you can spend up to £175 per financial year on approved education and vocational
courses. Additionally, if you are diagnosed with a Specific Learning Difference, SLC can be put towards specialist tuition and support.
Learn more about SLC, eligibility and how to apply on the Discover My Benefits website.
Enhanced Learning Credits – For all who have or are serving and their dependants
As a currently serving, ex-service, veteran, or dependent of theirs, you may be able to make a claim for Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC). The scheme could help to fund further and higher education training that could expand your employment opportunities.
Enhanced Learning Credits can support your career in many ways. Currently serving personnel may use the scheme to develop skills relevant to service, whilst those who are transitioning into veteran life may use them to support finding civilian
employment.
Learn more about ELC on the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service website.
The training and education received must be from an approved provider. The payment is made directly to the course provider once a year.
Search for an approved learning provider on the ELC Administration Service Website.
The types of ELC
The type of ELC which could be awarded will depend on your service. The three tiers are:
- The Lower Tier with a maximum of three awards of £1000 per financial year. To be eligible for this tier, the service person must have completed either four or more years of qualifying service before 1st April, 2017, or six or more years of qualifying service after 1st April, 2017.
- Aggregated Lower Tier provides a single award of up to £3000 for a service person who completed six or more years of qualifying service. This tier is only available from 1st April, 2016 and is not available to a service person who has previously accessed Lower Tier awards, or who qualifies for Higher Tier.
- The Higher Tier with a maximum of three awards of £2000 per financial year. To be eligible for this tier, the service person must have completed either eight or more years of qualifying service.
Full details of Enhanced Learning Credits, what they are and how they are earned can be found in JSP 822.
Read JSP 822 to learn more about Enhanced Learning Credits on the GOV.UK website.
Eligibility for Enhanced Learning Credits
Detailed eligibility criteria can be found in Chapter 9 of JSP 822.
To be eligible for SLC the Service Person must have completed a minimum service length and have submitted an ELC claim form. The requirements for ‘Eligible Service’
time, and what is counted are outlined in JSP 822 Chapter 9.
If you received a medical discharge after completing initial training, you may be able to claim ELC at a Lower Tier but you must already be a member of the Enhanced Learning Credit
Scheme.
Learn more about eligibility on the ELC Administration Service website.
Adult dependents may be eligible to have ELC transferred to them under some circumstances. These are:
- in the event of a death of a Service Person which is caused either wholly or predominantly by service, or
- the Service Person received a medical discharge and cannot use ELC support due to their injury or illness.
An ‘Eligible Adult Dependent’ is a Service Person’s Spouse, civil partner, or ‘eligible partner’.
The Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC) grant – for those who have served six + years or received a Medical Discharge
If you have served for six or more years or have received any type of medical discharge, you may be eligible for an IRTC grant. The grant can be used as part of your internal resettlement training, or externally with preferred CTP suppliers.
The IRTC grant could contribute up to a maximum of £534 towards the cost of a course.
Read more about IRTC grants in JSP 534 on the GOV.UK website.
Training and further education
Improving your skills and getting back into education can significantly increase your chances of securing meaningful employment in civilian life.
If you need financial support to pay for your education and training, there is help out there.
Support is available from both charitable organisations and the government.
For anyone in the Armed Forces Community
Forces Employment Charity - England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
The Forces Employment Charity, is here to support the Armed Forces community, including reservists and partners, through their many employment programmes.
The employment charity hosts regular events and employment fairs, both online and in
person at venues across the country. Courses are designed to help you secure employment and develop skills within your career.
Find out more about events and employment fairs on the Forces Employment Charity website.
Additionally, the Forces Employment Charity can support you through recommendations for further education and advise you on further training that you may need.
Register for support on the Forces Employment Charity website.
More information
Find further guidance on employment from the Forces Employment Charity website:
Find out about the Positive Pathways to Higher Education for Forces Families.
Learn about how the Forces Employment Charity supports young people in the Armed Forces community.
Get in touch
Visit the Forces Employment Charity website, or
Telephone: 0121 262 3058
Email: [email protected]
Officers’ Association Scotland
The Officers’ Association Scotland provides training opportunities for ex-officers and family members.
The charity aims to provide beneficiaries with the tools and training to boost their employment skills and knowledge.
Courses
are delivered online and in person across Scotland.
Learn more about employment training opportunities offered by the Officers’ Association Scotland.
Get in touch
Visit the Officers Association Scotland website to use their online contact box, or
Telephone: 01315 501 575 or 01315 501 581
Email: [email protected]
X-Forces- England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
If you are interested in setting up your own business or are considering self-employment, X-Forces supports members of the Armed Forces community, including cadets, spouses and family. The partner charity hosts regular workshops and skills development programmes online to support your self-employment. These events include:
- Self-Employment Awareness Workshops
- Start-Up Skills Workshops
- the Business and Enterprise Programme, and
- the Business Experience Programme.
Find out more about upcoming events on the X-Forces website.
Get in touch
Visit the X-Forces website to chat online, or
Telephone: 01182 065 230
Email: [email protected]
For ex-service personnel and veterans
Mission Motorsport - England and Wales
Mission Motorsport is an approved training provider to the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP). The charity supports service leavers, ex-service personnel and veterans from its facilities in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
Learn more about training opportunities offered by Mission Motorsport.
Get in touch
Visit the Mission Motorsport website to use their online contact form, or
Telephone: 03330 338 338
The Open University - UK and overseas
The Open University (OU) works with the MOD to support those who are currently serving, service leavers and ex-service personnel.
The OU website hosts a variety of guidance and information to help you access education and training to further
your career during and after your service.
The Disabled Veterans Scholarship Fund
The OU offers 50 scholarships annually to those who are living with an injury or disability that was the result of or gained during service.
The scholarships can apply to all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. Additionally, those
who receive the scholarship will be able to access specialist careers and disability support.
Read more about the scholarship, eligibility and how to apply on the OU website.
Employment Grants
Finding a job can be one of the hardest parts of leaving the Armed Forces.
Employment grants could support you with training, travel, accommodation, equipment or even to help you continue the employment that you already have.
Find out more about Employment Grants that you could be eligible for on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
