How ELCAS and CMI Supported Matthew’s Career Transition

Matthew’s career transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life at Issured is not just a personal milestone but a testament to the opportunities provided by programmes like the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership. His journey shows the value of supported career development and the transferable skills gained from his time in the Army and through training initiatives.

In this article we speak to Matthew about his journey from the Army to the workplace, how ELCAS supported him, and how he found the CMI Diploma and his job search after achieving the Diploma.

Matthew’s Role In The Army

Matthew was employed in the Intelligence Corps as an Operator Military Intelligence. As he discusses, “The role was extremely broad and involved everything from analysing information for commanders to protecting our own information and assets.”

One of his roles included training new recruits in intelligence, preparing them for military operations. He then moved to a role where he helped train and assess various Army headquarters to ensure they were ready to command troops on operations.

Skills Acquired In The Army

When speaking with Matthew, he discussed three major skills which he developed during his time in the Armed Forces. The first was flexibility.

“I definitely needed to be flexible. Regardless of being an intelligence analyst, I very often found myself in roles that were well outside of my job description. For example, at both the start and end of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was employed to support the NHS analytical capability as it sought to understand and minimise the disease’s spread.”

Secondly, the ability to remain confident in any situation. “In some of my roles I could find myself briefing everyone from generals, to diplomats, to politicians, or sometimes groups of hundreds of soldiers. If you didn’t have the confidence to brief them, then they would not have confidence in what you were telling them.”

Lastly, Matthew discusses the skill of leadership. “I often had teams working on complex tasks under my direction, and I would have to motivate them through some significant stresses. The ability to manage conflict in what could sometimes be a tense working environment was very important.”

ELCAS: Facilitating Career Transitions

The pivotal moment in Matthew’s journey was discovering ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service), a scheme supporting Armed Forces personnel in pursuing higher education and employment training upon leaving service. ELCAS, managed by the Ministry of Defence, offers financial support through Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs) to eligible personnel, encouraging career development in diverse sectors.

“ELCAS is explained to all soldiers as they leave the Army, and you’re given extensive advice on how best to take advantage of it.”

When we spoke to Matthew about why ELCAS was important to him, he highlighted how vital it was for those in service to transfer skills from the Army to a civilian role.

“Like all soldiers leaving, my experiences needed some tweaking to make them more suitable to civilian life. Largely, the qualifications that we get are only understood or relevant in the Army. Using ELCAS takes what you have learned in the Army and “civilianises” it, or for some soldiers allows them to completely re-trade into something new.”

Choosing The CMI Diploma

Motivated by a desire to enhance his managerial expertise, Matthew opted for the CMI Diploma in Management and Leadership, facilitated by ELCAS funding. The CMI Diploma, renowned for its comprehensive programme and industry recognition, appealed to Matthew’s career aspirations.

Matthew recalls when choosing the CMI Diploma, “I met Jon, Issured’s CEO, shortly before Christmas 2023. He talked me through what the diploma would offer me, as well as some of the roles it could help me into, and I was sold.”

“The skills were mostly pretty familiar to me, but the language was not,” Matthew reflects. “The Army speaks a different language to the civilian world, and so it showed me that I had already done a lot of these things, but that the Army just used a different terminology for them.”

Benefits Of The CMI Diploma

The benefits of the CMI Diploma became evident as Matthew integrated theoretical knowledge with practical scenarios. “I think it helped me to understand some of the softer leadership techniques that are not used so much in the Army. Because of the nature of the role, leadership can be quite harsh at times (I know I could be when I wanted something done quickly). I think it showed me that I would have to soften some of the edges on my leadership style if I am to succeed as a civilian.”

“I think it also helped me to formalise some of those leadership skills by illustrating the academic models that backed them up. Whilst I largely used the techniques already, it was helpful to picture the models that explain how and why certain styles or techniques work”, he remarks.

From CMI Diploma To Employment

Armed with reinforced skills and industry-recognised credentials, Matthew embarked on a targeted job search. He noted that the CMI Diploma, “…largely helped me to understand what people were talking about in interviews! The amount of new terminology that I learned was enormous.” His preparation and the knowledge he garnered through the CMI Diploma culminated in a successful interview process.

By completing the CMI Diploma, Matthew had inadvertently hit two birds with one stone. He stated, “The most significant help I got from the Diploma, however, was being able to show off to Issured, who provided the training. As a result of that, I was eventually asked if I wanted to interview with the company, who I had come to learn quite a bit about and enjoyed being around. I did interview and was successful, therefore resulting in me (indirectly) getting a job through doing the Diploma with the company.”

Transition From The Armed Forces To A Civilian Role

When reflecting on his transition from the Army to civilian life, he notes, “I do miss living with soldiers and all their antics, and sometimes I even miss having to tell a trainee off for doing something remarkably stupid, full well knowing that I had done much more stupid things when I first joined, because invariably whatever they had done would make me laugh once they were out of earshot. The sort of connection that soldiers have is pretty unique, and I know that it can never be replicated.”

Matthew added, “All in all though, I am happy with the decision I made. I am finishing my third week with Issured as I write this and I have enjoyed it so far. The people I work with are all very friendly and have made an effort to come and say hello, and I feel that the management are working hard on my development.”

Encouraging Others To Get Involved

Matthew encourages fellow veterans and transitioning personnel to explore opportunities offered by ELCAS and similar initiatives, taking time to prepare for the transition. He stated, “Taking advantage of ELCAS and the CMI Diploma was one of the best decisions I made for my post-Army career. The Diploma equips you with the skills and knowledge to confidently step into the civilian job market, as well as helping me to understand how the skills I already had translated into civilian life, and the instructor made a lot of effort to link what I had already done with my transition.”

“Do not hesitate to invest in your future, ask for support and make the most of it,” Matthew added.

Ready To Learn More?

Matthew’s story serves as a testament to the opportunities of programmes like ELCAS and the CMI Diploma in facilitating career transitions and enhancing professional capabilities.

As Matthew continues to excel in his role at Issured, we hope his story can inspire others to embrace opportunities for growth beyond the Armed Forces.

Learn more about ELCAS, the CMI Diploma and Issured Track (training provider) today, and get in touch if you would like support in transitioning from the Armed Forces and upskilling into a civilian role.

Issured is a part of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantages when seeking to access public or private goods and services in the UK.

Issured are also a bronze member of the ERS (Employee Recognition Scheme), which is a pledge to support the Armed Forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community.