Defence - MOD Enhanced Learning Credits Initiative Add this

G4S supports the successful deployment and engagement of armed forces at home and abroad. G4S work in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence to encourage ongoing education for members of the Armed Forces

Overview

The MoD's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) is an initiative to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The ELC scheme provides financial support in the form of a single up-front payment in each of a maximum of three separate financial years. ELC funding is only available for pursuit of higher level learning i.e. for courses that result in a nationally recognised qualification at Level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (England and Wales), a Level 6 or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) or, if pursued overseas, an approved international equivalent qualification.

G4S provide the administrative support for the ELC Scheme. We deliver this service under the operating name of Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS). This provides a sympathetic branding for the MOD and the appearance of an internal support service, which was very much the feel the MOD sought for what is essentially a recruitment and retention vehicle.

To date there are in excess of 240,000 registered members of the ELC scheme. In a typical year we will process in excess of 6000 claims with a value of over £5.5m. Since contract start up in 2003, we have processed over £23m of claims.

Our services

ELCs are available in two tiers: those with four years of eligible service can claim the Lower Tier (80% of the fees, up to a maximum of £1,000 per claim instalment) and those with eight years eligible service can claim the Upper Tier (80% of the fees, up to a maximum of £2,000 per claim instalment). Each eligible claimant may make a total of 3 claims. These may include claims in both the lower and upper tier but not exceed 3 claims in total.

Recognising the “pinch points” for retention, applicants must complete and submit an application form either in their first twelve months from enlistment or in the window between eight and eight and a half years from enlistment.

ELCs can only be used toward the cost of training provided by an Approved Supplier. ELCAS manage the database of Approved Providers, which currently totals over 500, ranging from small, specialist, training providers to universities. These providers offer a wide range of courses and qualifications.

ELC funding is only available for courses that result in a Nationally Recognised Qualification at level three or above on the National Qualification Framework or level six or above on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework.

ELCAS quality assure a percentage of Approved Training Providers each year to ensure that they continue to meet the MOD’s rigorous standards of training provision. Service personnel paying for training with an ELC are also required to complete an evaluation of their training provider.

Only if the Armed Forces member, the course and the provider are all eligible can the payment be made by the MOD to the Approved Provider. ELCAS essentially establish the three elements of eligibility within the scheme rules and, once cleared, send data to the MOD to create a payment file. We also provide administrative support and helpdesk services to scheme members, claimants, providers and Armed Forces education staff alike.

Benefits

  • The key benefits to the MOD in outsourcing this service to G4S are:
  • Centralising point of contact established for a tri-service administration function
  • Synergies with other G4S contracts provide admin and IT development cost efficiencies
  • Low staff turnover provides bank of expertise and scheme knowledge
  • QA and assessment experience enables us to ensure robust quality of learning provision
  • High level of management information and reporting enables MOD to demonstrate benefits of ELC scheme
  • Proven processes to ensure security of information and prevention of fraud allow MOD top operate scheme with confidence.

 

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