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Education Benefits Overview for British Armed Forces Personnel
It’s not all about studying either
HMForces.co.uk
Step 2: Learn If You’re Ready
Education Benefits Overview
The British Armed Forces is well known for the way it encourages training, not only for the particular trade you specialise in, but for qualifications that will be useful after you leave the service. It’s not all about studying either, there is lots of adventure training such as abseiling, canoeing and skiing to help improve your fitness, teamwork skills and confidence.
The Armed Forces have a very open system of promotion. Each level requires a certain level of skills, qualifications and experience so adding to your qualifications and knowledge will always help you rise through the ranks. Everyone undergoes training for their specialist trade and learning about related areas is also encouraged. The modern military has to deal with a wide range of situations, both in peace and war, so it’s in everyone’s interest to have a well trained fighting force.
You can also qualify for grants for more formal education and training such as GCSE’s, A-levels and degrees that will help you progress further both in the Armed Forces and in civilian life in later life. This extra training is separate to your trade training and is to allow you to improve yourself and your career prospects beyond the day-to-day skills of your current role.
If you serve for over six years you will be able to take A-levels or a degree without paying tuition fees when you leave the Service.
Standard Learning Credits
The Standard Learning Credit scheme is designed to assist Service members to take external training through a number of small scale learning activities. Service members can apply for up to 80% of the cost of external training, up to a maximum of £175 per year.
The course must be applicable to your personal development goals and must end with the reward of a nationally accredited qualification. This can include part time academic and vocational courses at Further Education colleges, open learning courses that involve regular attendance at a local access centre, or individual tuition such as learning foreign languages from recognised learning providers.
Enhanced Learning Scheme
The Enhanced Learning Scheme is a step up from the Standard Learning Credit Scheme and as such needs to be ‘earned.’ There are two tiers, the lower tier of up to £1,000 per annum is available to people with four or more years of service, while you need to serve for at least eight years to qualify for the upper tier of up to £2,000 per annum. You can make up to three claims in your military career and these can all be from one tier or a mixture of two. If you are taking a three year course such as a degree you can claim for consecutive years. You can also claim for up to ten years after you leave the Armed Forces.
The Enhanced Learning Credit can be claimed for nationally recognised qualifications at Level 3 or above (A level and equivalent in England and Wales) or Level 6 or above (on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework).
