Training

01   Forces Families Jobs - Training

There is a wide variety of training providers on Forces Families Jobs (FFJ), offering a huge selection of training opportunities available to military families. Many of the courses are free of charge, whilst others offer discounted courses for learners from the military community. These opportunities are available for spouses, partners and adult family members of currently serving military personnel.

In addition, FFJ has information on employment training programmes and apprenticeship opportunities.

02   Funding for adult education and training

There is no funding available from the MOD or the Army for spouses and partners to train in new skills. However, there are some other sources which you can explore.

The Government and some Service and veterans’ organisations offer financial assistance to military families to support a course of study or training. This may include assistance with the added costs and expenses associated with studying.

Good places to start are:

• Royal British Legion President’s Award Scheme – The RBL Women’s Section   provides education grants and accommodation scholarships to assist those in financial need with costs linked to educational needs. Partners and children of serving military personnel are eligible to apply. Education grants are awarded to those seeking first degrees, to assist with costs linked to course attendance such as course fees, childcare, textbooks, equipment and travel costs. An accommodation scholarship grant is also available to assist the children of serving personnel with the costs of accommodation while studying at university.
• The Government website provides information on grants and bursaries for adult learners to help pay for courses and training. Usually, you don’t have to pay this money back e.g. NHS bursaries for nurse training.

03   Accessing adult education and training

There is a wide range of information and resources if you are looking to access adult education and training opportunities. These include:

• The National Careers Service provides careers advice and information on a wide range of jobs, training course resources and funding.
• Mature students: university and funding on the Government website has a host of information for mature students to access full and part-time degree courses and funding.
• Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) supports access to higher education for adult learners across Scotland, with programmes specifically designed for adults returning to education after a gap.
• Apprenticeships (see gov.uk/become-apprentice) are available in a wide variety of sectors and roles, combining practical training in a job with study. They are available to anyone age 16 or over.
• NHS Health Education England have fully funded return to practice courses for nurses who may have left the profession and want to return and be GP practice nurses.
• NHS Apprenticeships offer an alternative route into hundreds of different careers within the NHS, through a mixture of on-the-job and classroom learning.
• Open Learn is the home of free learning from The Open University, offering bite-sized learning experiences on a huge range of subjects, designed to fit easily into daily life.

04   Distance learning

Distance learning can provide a great opportunity for you to study. If you would like to understand if being a distance learner is the right option for you, then the Open University’s Open Learn programme has a free course ‘Am I ready to be a distance learner?’ to help you become a successful distance learner.

If you are considering taking a distance learning course why not look at the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council for advice on selecting distance learning courses, and a list of accredited providers.

More information on distance learning courses is also available from:

Open University
The Association of Distance Learning Colleges

05   Transferring qualifications

For more information about transferring qualifications, either from overseas or between the Home Nations, please see our Employment page.