ELCAS for Veterans, Service Leavers, and Serving Personnel
ELCAS for Veterans, Service Leavers, and Serving Personnel: How to Fund Tech Training and Start a New Career in the UK
Transitioning from the Armed Forces into civilian life comes with a key challenge: turning your experience into recognised qualifications employers understand.
The good news is that ELCAS funding for veterans, service leavers, and serving personnel can help you bridge that gap — covering a majority of the cost of professional training and opening the door to high-demand careers in technology.
In this guide, we’ll explain how ELCAS works, how to use it for tech training, Newto Training’s training courses and career bundles, and why you should start a tech career in the UK.
What is ELCAS Funding?
The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) is a UK Ministry of Defence scheme that provides financial support for education and training.
It’s available to:
- Serving personnel
- Service leavers
- Veterans (up to 10 years after leaving)
Newto Training is an ELCAS-approved provider (ID: 14501), meaning you can use your funding directly on eligible courses.
ELCAS Funding Explained
- Up to £2,000 per year
- Available for 3 separate financial years
- Covers up to 80% of course fees
- Must be used with approved providers and qualifications. Newto Training meets both of these criteria
This makes ELCAS one of the most valuable funding routes for ex military personnel and veterans looking to retrain in tech.
Why You Should Consider a Career in Tech
The UK tech industry is growing rapidly and offers strong career prospects, competitive salaries, and long-term stability.
Many military skills transfer directly into IT and tech roles, making it a natural career move.
Transferable Skills from the Armed Forces
- Problem-solving in high-pressure environments
- Strong attention to detail
- Experience with technical systems
- Leadership and teamwork
- Structured, process-driven thinking
These are exactly the qualities employers look for in areas like cyber security, networking, and data analysis.
UK Tech Industry Statistics (2026 Outlook)
Understanding the market helps you make a confident career decision.
- Median UK tech salary: £49,410 (52% above national average)
- UK tech workforce: 2.2 million+ professionals
- Economic contribution: £86.2 billion annually
- AI market projected to exceed £800 billion by 2035
- Number of AI companies increased 600% in 10 years
Demand for qualified professionals continues to outpace supply — especially in cyber security, data, and AI roles.
Best Tech Career Paths Using ELCAS Funding
There’s a real opportunity waiting in the tech sector. By focusing your efforts in the right area, you can build a career that’s both secure and future-focused. Newto Training offers three high-demand pathways that provide strong career opportunities with ELCAS support.
Cyber Security Training for Veterans
Cyber security is one of the fastest-growing and most resilient career paths in tech, with demand for cyber security jobs in the UK continuing to rise.
Best suited for: intelligence, communications, or IT backgrounds.
Certifications in our Cyber Security bundle include:
You’ll learn how to identify threats, manage risks, and protect systems — core skills required for entry-level and advanced cyber security roles in the UK.
Typical career pathways:
- Security Analyst
- SOC Analyst
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Penetration Tester
Average UK salaries:
Entry-level cyber security jobs UK salary ranges typically start around £30,000–£40,000, with experienced professionals earning £50,000–£80,000+. The average cyber security salary in the UK is around £48,000–£55,000, depending on role and experience.
Data & AI Careers
Data and artificial intelligence are transforming businesses across the UK, driving demand for professionals with data analysis and AI skills.
Best suited for: analytical thinkers comfortable working with data and patterns.
Certifications in our Data and AI bundle include:
- CompTIA Data Analysis Essentials
- CompTIA AI Essentials
- CompTIA Data+
- CompTIA AI Prompting Essentials
- CompTIA DataAI
This pathway prepares you for data analyst jobs in the UK, as well as roles in automation and AI-driven decision-making.
Typical career pathways:
- Data Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- AI Analyst
- Junior Data Scientist
Average UK salaries:
A typical data analyst salary UK entry level starts around £28,000–£38,000, with experienced professionals earning £45,000–£70,000+. Salaries can exceed £45,000+ in London and specialist roles.
Network Engineering Training
Network engineers are essential to maintaining reliable, secure infrastructure, with strong demand across both public and private sectors.
Best suited for: those with communications or infrastructure experience.
Certifications in our Network Engineering bundle include:
You’ll develop skills in network setup, configuration, and troubleshooting — key requirements for network engineer jobs in the UK.
Typical career pathways:
- Network Engineer
- Infrastructure Engineer
- Network Administrator
- Systems Engineer
Average UK salaries:
The typical network engineer salary starts around £28,000–£35,000 at entry level, rising to £40,000–£65,000+ with experience. In London, network engineer jobs UK salary averages can reach £60,000–£75,000.
What You Get with Newto Training
- Instructor-led training delivered by experienced industry professionals
- Hands-on labs to build practical, real-world technical skills
- Scenario-based learning that reflects real workplace challenges
- Ongoing mentorship and guidance throughout your training
- Dedicated exam preparation support to maximise your chances of success
- Proven 96% first-time exam pass rate
This approach ensures you’re not just learning theory — you’re developing practical, job-ready skills and the confidence to apply them in real-world roles, making you more attractive to employers from day one.
CompTIA Certifications and ELCAS
If you prefer flexibility, you can use your ELCAS funding for individual courses, allowing you to tailor your learning to your specific career goals.
Newto Training delivers CompTIA certifications, a globally recognised standard in IT training, with over 3 million certifications awarded worldwide. These credentials are trusted by employers and designed to validate practical, job-ready skills.
In recognition of this, Newto Training was awarded the Delivery Partner Rising Star Award at the 2024 CompTIA EMEA Member and Partner Conference, reflecting our commitment to high-quality training and learner success. This acknowledgement from CompTIA demonstrates that our courses are aligned with globally recognised standards, ensuring learners gain skills that are valued by employers worldwide.
How to Apply for ELCAS Funding
Follow these steps to get started:
- Check your eligibility
- Select your course or training pathway with one of our bundles
- Submit your ELCAS form – get in touch to receive our handy step-by-step guide for how to apply for ELCAS funding
- Start training once approved
ELCAS will fund up to 80% of your course, making it a highly cost-effective way to retrain. To help you plan ahead, you can also use our ELCAS funding calculator to quickly estimate your entitlement and see exactly how much you could save before committing.
Start Your Tech Career with ELCAS
A career change after the military doesn’t mean starting from zero — it’s about building on the experience, discipline, and skills you already have.
The tech industry offers:
- High salaries
- Strong job security
- Clear progression pathways
- Flexible and remote work options
With ELCAS funding, you can gain industry-recognised qualifications while significantly reducing the cost of training. With up to 80% of course fees covered, ELAS is one of the most accessible ways to retrain for a new civilian career.
This means you can focus on developing the skills employers are actively looking for, without the financial barrier that often comes with career change.
Newto Training supports service leavers and veterans with structured learning, expert guidance, and a proven 96% first-time exam pass rate — giving you the confidence to take your next step into a stable, well-paid tech career.
Ready to Use Your ELCAS Funding?
If you’re a veteran, service leaver, or serving personnel considering a career in tech, now is the time to act.
Explore your options, calculate your funding, and take the first step towards a new career.
