Help with training and qualifications for people leaving the Armed Forces and veterans

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

About this information

This information applies to:

• people who used to serve in the Armed Forces (veterans)
• people who are leaving the Armed Forces.

If you are leaving the Armed Forces, or are a veteran, you may be thinking about doing a course to get more qualifications and skills to help you find a job.

There is a lot of information and advice available for you, to help you find the right course. You might also be able to get funding, to help with the costs of the course.

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Help from the Royal British Legion

You can get advice and funding for qualifications and skills to help you get a job from the Royal British Legion (RBL).

The RBL has advice available online and on the phone to help you get the right qualifications and skills. You can find more information on the Civvy Street website at: www.civvystreet.org.

You can also get advice from Civvy Street by contacting them:

Helpline: 0800 169 4073
Email: info@civvystreet.org.

Royal British Legion Employment Support Grant Scheme

The RBL also has an Employment Support Grant Scheme. To get help from this scheme you must be:

• no longer serving in the Armed Forces
• unemployed or getting Income Support or another means-tested benefit
• unable to pay for the course yourself and have no access to other funding options.

You can find more information about this scheme on the Civvy Street website at www.civvystreet.org.

Royal British Legion Be the Boss service

If you're leaving the Armed Forces, or you're a veteran, you may be able to get help in planning and funding your own small business from the RBL.

The Be the Boss service offers:

• training in setting up a small business
• help with writing a business plan and financial forecast
• funding to help with the launch or growth of the business
• health checks and business mentoring from time to time.

You can find more information about this service by contacting them:

Be the Boss helpline: 0800 678 5787
E-mail: betheboss@civvystreet.org.uk
Website: www.civvystreet.org.

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Funding for further and higher education

If you are leaving the Armed Forces, or are a veteran, you may be able to take a level three learning qualification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the equivalent level of qualification in Scotland, or a degree, without having to pay tuition fees.

A level three qualification in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is two A levels, or an equivalent vocational course.

You have to meet certain conditions to take part in the scheme. These include that you must have:

• left the Armed Forces on or after 17 July 2008
• completed six years full time service in the Armed Forces
• already been part of the Enhanced Learning Credit scheme for at least four years.

You can find out more information about this scheme and the courses you can do on the Courses4Forces website at: www.courses4forces.co.uk.

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Further help

More information for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families on Adviceguide

For more financial information, see Benefits and concessions for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

For more health information, see Healthcare for people injured in the Armed Forces and veterans.

For more housing information, see Housing options for people leaving the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

For more pensions information, see Pension and compensation schemes for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.

For more information about adult learning, see Adult education: organisations which give information and advice.

For more information about help with the costs of learning in Scotland, see Scottish Government guide to helping you meet the costs of learning.

For more information about further education in Scotland, see Education in Scotland: Further and higher education - courses available at Scottish colleges and universities.

Other organisations

Royal British Legion

You can find more information on learning, employment and general help on civilian life on the Royal British Legion's Civvy Street website at: www.civvystreet.org.

You can also get advice from Civvy Street by contacting them:

Helpline: 0800 169 4073
Email: info@civvystreet.org.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) has produced a Knowledge Map. You can use this to find details of other organisations in your area that may be able to help you.

You can search for organisations that help with:

• money matters, including benefits and pensions
• accommodation
• employment.

You can find the Knowledge Map online at: www.veterans-uk.info.

You can also get advice from the SPVA by contacting them:

Helpline: 0800 169 22 77.

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