The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is strongly committed to fostering lifelong learning and career development within the Armed Forces community. A cornerstone of this commitment is the Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme, alongside the Further Education and Higher Education (FEHE) scheme, designed to provide valuable Learning Credits to both serving personnel and veterans. These schemes offer crucial financial support, enabling eligible individuals to pursue a wide range of learning opportunities.
Recent policy updates, effective from March 30, 2021, have significantly broadened access to these vital learning schemes. These changes are particularly beneficial for veterans, offering greater flexibility in utilizing learning credits to gain both personal and professional qualifications. This enhanced accessibility ensures that veterans can more readily invest in their future skills and career prospects.
A key improvement is the extension of eligibility periods for veterans. Those who left the Armed Forces between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2016, now have access to both the ELC and FEHE schemes for an extended period of 10 years post-discharge. This provides a significantly longer window to take advantage of these learning opportunities.
Furthermore, veterans medically discharged on or after April 1, 2011, who receive a disablement pension under the War Pension Scheme, or a guaranteed income payment under the Armed Forces Compensation scheme, also benefit from this extended 10-year access to both the ELC and FEHE schemes. This ensures that veterans who have faced medical challenges are well-supported in their learning and development goals.
For veterans who left service on or after April 1, 2016, the access period to the ELC and FEHE schemes remains at a substantial 5 years following their discharge. This continues to provide a valuable timeframe for recent service leavers to utilize learning credits for their educational and career advancement.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans Johnny Mercer emphasized the importance of these schemes, stating: “We are committed to supporting our service people throughout their career in the armed forces and beyond. I am proud the learning credits schemes have formed an important part of this promise.” He further highlighted the impact of the extended programme, noting it “means our veterans will receive long-term development opportunities and offer readily accessible support as they begin the next chapter of their lives after service.”
For comprehensive information on the Enhanced Learning Credits scheme, including eligibility criteria, application processes, and the full scope of these policy changes, please visit the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service website.
