A simple guide to the common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Do:

• make sure you understand the regulations – see Joint Service Publication JSP898 – Defence Direction and Guidance on Training, Education and Skills, which can be downloaded from the ELCAS website at www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
• consult your education/learning staff and line managers to discuss your personal development plan
• plan ahead, leaving at least 25 days between submitting a claim and needing to book a course
• be prepared to provide evidence that the course you would like to do is at least level 3 (or equivalent) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF),* and that it directly benefits the Service (unless your claim is resettlement-related during your last two years of serving)
• ensure the course provider has approved provider status by checking it out on the ELCAS website at www.enhancedlearningcredits.com
• ensure the training is delivered by an approved ELC provider if using your Individual Resettlement Training Cost (IRTC) grant along with ELC to fund a nationally recognised qualification at level 3 or above
• consult your education, learning, training and/or resettlement adviser if you aren’t sure of the best way to use funding for your resettlement training
• remember that the scheme operates a strict ‘three hits and you’re out’ policy, so think carefully before submitting a claim
• inform ELCAS if your last day in Service alters from that originally stated
• complete and return the evaluation questionnaire when you’ve finished your studies; if you don’t, and can’t provide evidence that you completed the course, your future claims will be denied. 

Don’t:

• commit any payment contributions to course providers until you have received a claim authorisation note (CAN)
• automatically assume that approved provider status means that the entire portfolio of a provider’s courses meets the level 3 requirement
• enrol on a course or commit yourself financially without having first obtained approval from your own Service and a CAN from ELCAS

Enrol on a course with a new provider who is awaiting ‘approved’ status; wait until this has definitely been achieved – if this takes too long, look on the ELCAS website for an alternative provider