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ELCAS Funded Courses
Armed Forces Construction Courses

Construction Courses for Armed Forces Personnel & Service Leavers

Practical construction courses for Armed Forces personnel, service leavers and veterans, with ELC, SLC and reduced-cost training options.

Practical Skills for the Next Stage of Your Career

Leaving the Armed Forces is one of the biggest career decisions most people make. Construction appeals to many service leavers because the work is practical, problems have to be solved, the result is visible, and there are routes into employment, self-employment, maintenance, installation and property work.

The course still has to fit your plans, resettlement timetable, funding and the type of work you actually want. Do not pick a programme only because someone else in your unit completed it.

Our Armed Forces Training Track Record

2,230+

Service leavers trained through ELC-funded programmes

1,540

ELCAS evaluation forms returned

97%

Average ELCAS evaluation score

Figures based on Construction Skills College records and evaluation forms returned through the ELCAS process. Last reviewed August 2026

Why Construction Appeals to Service Leavers

Construction combines practical work, problem solving, clear objectives and visible results. Depending on your goals, skills can lead towards employment, self-employment, specialist trade work, property maintenance, bathroom or kitchen installation, refurbishment or property projects. Some learners choose one trade; others build several complementary skills.

Practical Training, Not Just a Qualification

A qualification can be useful. Passing an assessment and being confident enough to do the work are not the same thing. These programmes are built around time on the tools. Depending on the route, you can train in plumbing and heating, wall and floor tiling, plastering, carpentry, bricklaying, kitchen fitting, domestic electrical installation skills, and multi-skilled building, installation and property maintenance.

Each trade is taught by a specialist in that trade. On a multi-skilled programme you move between those tutors. Training takes place in realistic bays at our Stoke-on-Trent centre, with tools and materials supplied.

Choosing the Right Trade

Do not choose a course simply because somebody else in your unit completed it. Start with what you want to do afterwards. If you want to specialise, focus on the relevant trade. For property maintenance or broader self-employment, complementary skills can increase the range of work you can competently undertake. If you are unsure, use our Advice on Course Selection page or speak to us before committing your funding.

ELC, SLC and Other Funding Options

Construction Skills College is an approved ELC learning provider for designated Level 3 programmes. Eligible serving personnel may also be able to use SLC towards suitable standalone courses.

If you do not have ELC available, reduced-cost training may be available to eligible members of the Armed Forces community.

Full eligibility, claim rules and funding information are covered on our dedicated Funding for the Armed Forces Community page.

Flexible Support Around Service Commitments

If deployment, exercises or another genuine Service requirement affects booked training, we can rearrange affected training to alternative available dates without charging an administration or course-amendment fee. For full details of pre-course, during-course and post-course support, see Support for the Armed Forces Community.

Veterans and Armed Forces Families

Veterans are welcome to train with us, whether they left Service recently or many years ago. Eligible Armed Forces family members may also have access to reduced-cost training. Contact us with your goals and the course you are considering and we can explain the training options available.

Talk to Us Before You Decide

Your training time and funding are valuable. Phone, email or arrange a visit if you would like to discuss your goals, see the centre and compare suitable training routes before booking.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my ELC on any of your courses?

ELC applies to designated Level 3 programmes only, not every short course. Contact us with the course you are considering and we will confirm whether it is ELC eligible.

Do I need any previous construction experience?

No. Our programmes are built for beginners as well as those adding another trade, and training is delivered in realistic bays with tools and materials supplied.

What happens if deployment affects my booked dates?

Where a genuine Service requirement affects booked training, we rearrange the affected training to alternative available dates without charging an administration or course-amendment fee.

Can veterans and family members train with you?

Yes. Veterans are welcome whether they left Service recently or many years ago, and eligible Armed Forces family members may have access to reduced-cost training.

Should I pick one trade or a multi-skilled programme?

Start with what you want to do afterwards. Specialising suits a single trade route; property maintenance and self-employment usually benefit from complementary skills across several trades.