The ELCAS scheme is designed to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces with training that will enhance their current or future career. This assistance is in the form of an annual payment in up to three individual years. All training courses must be delivered by an Approved Learning Provider and result in an award of a nationally recognised qualification on the Qualification and Credit Framework (England and Wales).

COPTRZ Training Provider Number is 10710 – MARTEK DRONES.

The use of drones or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) requires a particular skillset which armed forces personnel are particularly suited to. As well as following established protocols and assessing risk for each and every mission, familiarity with drone hardware and the ability to assume personal responsibility every time you fly are prerequisites for the successful drone pilot.

As the only ELCAS approved drone supplier, COPTRZ (T/A MARTEK DRONES LIMITED) are uniquely positioned to offer CAA approved training to service personnel seeking careers within the drone industry, and with a dedicated business module, also offer invaluable help for those looking at establishing their own businesses. For more details on the ELCAS approved courses we offer, follow this link.

All serving and leaving personnel are automatically enrolled for Enhanced Learning Credits. The value of these credits depends on the length of your time in service, and the maximum number of credits you can earn is three. There are two distinct tiers for ELC funding, which depend on the length of your service. Enhanced Learning Credits on the lower tier will be worth £1,000 per year for individual scheme members who have completed not less than six years eligible service, while the upper tier will be worth £2,000 per year for individuals who have completed eight of more years’ service. Only service accumulated since 1st April 2000, may be counted as eligible service for the purpose of the ELC Scheme.

Many members of the Armed Forces begin planning their post-military career a number of years prior to leaving the military, so even if you aren’t planning on leaving just yet, it’s a good idea to start finding out more about ELCAS and what a career in the commercial drone industry could mean for you. Our UAV Strategists can advise on the training and career opportunities using drones within many industry verticals, and how you can best take advantage of these.

To be eligible for credit payments, you must have served for a minimum of six years. Credits will cover 80% of the fees required to take one of the eligible courses, up to a maximum of £2,000. You will therefore only need to pay for the remaining 20% of the cost of the course. You can only use one of your credits per financial year, so it’s a good idea to plan out the most effective way to spend them. To apply for funding, first select from our ELCAS courses, and call us for further details and to register interest.

Then complete and submit the ELC Claims Form from the ELCAS web site, for serving personnel here, and for leaving personnel here. Alternatively, you can download the ELC Claims form here.

Once completed both serving and leaving personnel should submit the ELC Claims form in paper or electronic format to your to MOD Authorising Personnel. For serving personnel this is your local authorised Education Officer, and for leaving personnel, this would be the appropriate Single Service Representatives (details below).

Single Service Representatives (SSR) Contact Details:

Navy

ELC Manager

Tel: 02392 625954

Email: Colin.Crawford220@mod.gov.uk

Army

Learning Credit Scheme (LCS) Manager

Tel: 01264382142 9:30 – 12:30 Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Email: Army-ELC-Veterans@mod.gov.uk

Any ELC Applications from personnel no longer in Service are to be made online via the ELC Members Area accessed via the link below;

Members Logon & Password Reminder

RAF

Learning Credits Administrator

Tel: 01400 268 183

Email:  Michael.Quainton100@mod.gov.uk

All forms are available on the ELCAS website. Claims need to be received 25 working days prior to the course start date to ensure timely approval. For more detail and FAQs click here.

MOD authorised personnel will check the eligibility of your claim via JSP822, and will issue a Claims Authorisation Note (CAN from ELC 005 002) confirming that you will receive ELC support to fund your chosen course.

Simply contact COPTRZ customer services and confirm your participation on the chosen course by paying your 20% contribution and forwarding the relevant CAN authorisation form to COPTRZ here, quoting your name and course details.

FEBRUARY: 10^th February Leeds   /    17^th February Edinburgh   /   24^th February Leeds   /    24^th February Rugby

MARCH: 9^th March Rugby   /   16^th March Leeds   /    23^rd March Norfolk   /   30^th March Crewe   /   30^th March Leeds

APRIL: 27^th April Leeds   /    20^th April Aberdeen

With your ELCAS credits you can access two of our drone training courses:

• OFQUAL Level 4 accreditation for Commercial Drone Pilots – 3 day course worth £945.00 + VAT
• OFQUAL Level 5 Award for Commercial Drone Pilots – 3 day course worth £2,000 + VAT