Enhanced Learning for the Armed Forces   
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Learning Providers

TIPS FOR CLAIMANTS

A key stage of making a claim is choosing a suitable learning activity and Provider (please refer to the eligibility guidance on the claiming page). Your chosen organisation must be an ELC Approved Provider. Use only the comprehensive list of Approved Providers available via the search engine on this website.

The easiest way to identify a suitable provider is to use the subject search on the Search Providers page. This will list all providers who have advised us that they are supplying courses in your chosen subject area. Using these results you can then either refine your search to take into account other factors or you can explore the individual provider websites through the links provided. This search engine facility also allows searches for Approved Learning Providers by name, The Geographic Area (for example the Open University will be listed in all areas as they support training on a nationwide basis), Organisation Type, Qualification Levels and/or Delivery Method. Please note that when searching for Learning Providers offering distance learning you should not search by geographic location.

TOP TIP: Please note the full claiming procedure under the ELC Scheme: claim procedure flow chart Annex 1 to the DIN.

CLAIMANTS BE AWARE !

  • It is important that you do not set up a loan/credit agreement for the full fee amount under any circumstances.
  • You must not pay any money to the Provider or book the course before you receive your Claim Authorisation Note.
  • Learning Providers should not request payment for the ELC portion of the fee from you directly. The Learning Provider will invoice DGFM separately for this.
  • Please note that although the Learning Provider as an organisation may be Approved you must still ensure that the Learning Activities that they provide are eligible. ELCs may only be claimed for learning which results 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.
  • If you are not happy that your chosen Learning Provider is following the ELC scheme policies please detail your complaint in writing via your Education Staff or Single Service Representative.

INFORMATION FOR LEARNING PROVIDERS ? Claimants should read this too! Be aware of what Approved Learning Providers are required to do.

Learning Provider Responsibilities

Learning Providers are required to comply with all the ELC scheme rules and to keep up to date on changes to these by referring to this website and specifically the underpinning policy documents:

Claimants will expect Learning Providers to understand the ELC scheme and the whole claiming process. Please ensure that as an Approved Learning Provider you have familiarised yourself with this process, the administrative requirements of the scheme and ensure that you can comply with everything within the published policy and within this website.

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. Learning Providers may be required by MoD or ELCAS to provide evidence that their courses meet this criterion at any time.

In addition to adhering to the relevant policies Learning Providers must ensure that they advise ELCAS (0845 3005179) elcas@gslglobal.com of any changes to contact details, course provision, training location and Learning Provider description appearing on the ELCAS website. Please use the supplementary information form to advise us of any changes. ELC 007-04 Learning Provider Supplementary Information form ver 8.doc

Quality Assurance of Learning Provision

As part of our process to ensure continuous improvement and consistency throughout all aspects of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme, aspects of Learning Provider service provision will be evaluated. This process will be two-fold. Firstly, upon completion of the learning activity the Learner will submit to ELCAS an evaluation form. Secondly, we will carry out a series of evaluation visits throughout the financial year to cover a sample of 5% of the active Learning Provider organisations over this time. This sample is selected using these criteria. Should your Organisation be selected for such a visit we will contact you in advance.

WHAT SHOULD LEARNING PROVIDERS BE PREPARED TO DO?

Unsatisfactory Learning Provider performance as defined by the MoD may result in Learning Provider Approved status being revoked. As a minimum requirement Approved Learning Providers should:

  • Have sufficient equipment / materials available to facilitate learning
  • Provide a high quality of learning provision
  • ELC claimants should receive the same level of service as none ELC claimants
  • Encourage claimants to complete ELCAS evaluations forms which should be returned directly to ELCAS not via the Learning Provider
  • Achieve at least 80% satisfaction score on every evaluation received from a claimant
  • Respond fully in a timely and efficient manner to complaints
  • Make themselves available for pre-arranged ELCAS evaluation visits
  • Act appropriately on recommendations made as a result of an ELCAS evaluation visit or MoD authorised investigation
  • Adhere to the administrative, invoicing and payment term requirements of the ELC scheme
  • Be aware of the ELC scheme rules and policies in respect of ELCAS claimants

In addition to ensuring quality provision within the Approved Supplier List ELCAS are also required to ensure there is claimant demand for those Learning Providers available. If a Learning Provider has no claiming activity logged against their claiming record for more than twelve months they will be notified that their Approved Provider status has been revoked.