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Support for the Armed Forces Community

Support for the Armed Forces Community

See how we support serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and Armed Forces families before, during and after construction training.

Support that goes beyond accepting ELC

Construction Skills College has trained members of the Armed Forces community for many years. Support should mean more than taking a booking. Serving personnel and service leavers are often planning training around deployment, exercises, resettlement, relocation and family life.

We aim to help you choose the right course, stay flexible when Service commitments change, support you during the course, and remain available for appropriate practical questions afterwards.

Our Armed Forces Track Record

2,230+

Service leavers trained through ELC-funded programmes

1,540

ELCAS evaluation forms returned

97%

Average ELCAS evaluation score

Figures last reviewed August 2026. These figures reflect many years of working with serving personnel and service leavers at different stages of transition.

Support Before Training

If you are unsure which route suits your plans, phone, email or arrange a visit before committing your funding. We can discuss your goals, preferred trades, available time and intended use of the skills.

We encourage prospective learners to visit while courses are running so they can see the training bays, tools, materials, tutors and practical work before deciding.

Flexible Dates for Deployment and Service Commitment

Serving personnel do not always control their diary. You may book months ahead and then be deployed, sent on an exercise, lose planned leave or have resettlement dates moved.

If a genuine Service requirement means you cannot attend, contact us as soon as you know. We can postpone or move the affected training to alternative available dates without charging an administration or course-amendment fee.

Alternative dates remain subject to course availability and any applicable funding, qualification or completion timescales.

Support During Training

Many Armed Forces learners arrive with little or no experience in the trade they have chosen. That is normal. Tutors explain, demonstrate, supervise, correct and let you repeat important tasks. Each trade is taught by a specialist in that trade, not one general instructor.

Support After Training

Learning continues after the course. Where appropriate, former learners can contact us for practical guidance as they continue developing their skills. This does not replace required qualifications, registration, certification, professional supervision or the need to work within your competence. It is guidance while you build experience.

The support you receive will help you develop and grow your knowledge and confidence – just call your tutor directly for advice and guidance.

Veterans and Armed Forces Families

Veterans are welcome whether they left recently or years ago. Reduced-cost training may be available depending on the course and circumstances.

Military life also affects spouses, partners and families. Eligible family members may access reduced-cost training for employment, self-employment, flexible work or property projects. Contact us before booking.

Full funding rules — ELC, SLC, IRTC and reduced rates — are on the Armed Forces funding page.

Developing Our Wider Armed Forces Support

Our Armed Forces relationship has principally developed through training. We intend to continue reviewing how our policies and future recruitment can appropriately recognise service leavers, veterans, Reservists, military spouses and partners and other members of the Armed Forces community.

We do not currently have vacancies. When we recruit, we intend to give service leavers, veterans, Reservists, military spouses and partners, and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers a fair chance to show how their experience meets the role. Standards will not be lowered. Military experience should not be ignored only because it uses different job titles. Transferable strengths often include leadership, teamwork, training others, problem solving, health and safety awareness, logistics and working under pressure.

We do not currently employ any known Reservists. As employment policy develops we will consider training commitments, annual training, mobilisation and return to work. Any formal policy will be published once it is actually adopted. We would rather describe what we do than write a commitment we cannot keep.

We Welcome Feedback

If you are serving, a service leaver, veteran, Reservist or member of an Armed Forces family and believe there is something we could improve, we welcome constructive feedback about training flexibility, support, funding information or our wider approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I am deployed after booking?

Contact us as soon as you know. Where a genuine Service requirement means you cannot attend, we postpone or move the affected training to alternative available dates without charging an administration or course-amendment fee.

Is there a limit on moving my dates?

Alternative dates remain subject to course availability and any applicable funding, qualification or completion timescales.

Can I still get help after my course finishes?

Where appropriate, former learners can call their tutor directly for practical guidance. This does not replace required qualifications, registration, certification or the need to work within your competence.

Can family members train at a reduced cost?

Eligible Armed Forces family members may access reduced-cost training depending on the course and circumstances. Contact us before booking, and see the Armed Forces funding page for full rules.