What does good ELCAS and resettlement training look like?

As an ex-serviceman and having gone through the resettlement process, I understand the concerns and caution that go through the minds of service personnel as they make the transition to life outside the military and the myriad of choices that have to be made.

I consider myself very lucky in the fact that I had several job options lined up and was actually offered a post by the resettlement training company I used to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer and security specialist – which although required a leap of faith at the time – turned out to be great choice for me. But this was down to more luck than judgment!

Not only did I choose well with resettlement options, I also had the privilege to be part of the training of other service people leaving and joining the World of IT infrastructure and security. That was nearly 18 years ago and the IT infrastructure and security world has changed considerably, but the need for good resettlement training and more importantly the quality and care provided by the training providers is more critical today than ever.

Making the right choice whether it be part of your resettlement process or using Enhanced Learning (ELCAS) is very important.

The primary focus should be the impact that your training is going to have on getting the right job in a crowded marketplace and how you can utilise your transferable skills alongside your new knowledge. It all depends upon what you did in the military and what your career goals are outside, but everybody has transferable skills that organisations need and prioritise above a lot of other aspects.

Adding vendor-recognised certificates and qualifications on top of your acquired military experience, knowledge, skills and ethics is the icing on the cake and gives you a real advantage in the workplace.

That is why you should choose a training provider that has been operating in the vendor certification sphere for a long time and has the advantage of working alongside internationally recognised vendors to both deliver and produce top-quality products. Being an award-winning training partner with the likes of Microsoft, Cisco, EC-Council, CompTIA, and Crest (to name a few) is essential.

It is important from the outset that you do your homework but consult with the training provider about the best solution for you, as not everybody is the same.

Use job search sites to get a feel for what organisations are looking for. Your research will soon result in companies looking for experience backed up with credentials from ISC2, ISACA, Microsoft, AWS, CompTIA, and other recognised certification programs.

There are also a couple of cold, hard facts for service leavers.

The world doesn’t owe you a living. Which sounds harsh but is a reality. Like most things in life (like most things in the military) you have to work hard, apply yourself to a task, and take opportunities when they arise. You also have to stay true to yourself and believe in your abilities and skillset.

If you are completely changing job roles, you will probably not start halfway up the ladder or anywhere near the top. You will start closer to the bottom, but you will soon climb thanks to your work ethic, life skills, and desire to learn new things quickly and effectively.

If you are choosing a career path similar to what you did in the military, you're likely to start on the higher rungs. But you will also need to learn how to adapt and adopt different working practices – but never change your mindset!

Stay interesting. If you did a sport or activity in the military that you can continue doing in the outside world – keep doing it. If you enjoyed a particular secondary duty such as charity work or school governance, look for similar opportunities where you live. Not only will you be continuing all that great stuff you did before, but all of this keeps you alive and interesting and allows you to show your personality and adaptability to an employer.

Stay hungry to learn. This is especially important if you are venturing into the digital skills world. IT Infrastructure, security, information, and Cybersecurity do not stand still and you will never stop learning new things.

Get help and guidance from people you can trust and care about you. I was lucky to receive training and guidance from some great people which allowed me to stand on my feet early in my new career. I still repeat a lot of the great advice and guidance that was given to me at the time, especially when it comes to writing CVs and looking for opportunities. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Use your training resources wisely. Invest in a training provider who is going to put you first and give you the best chance for success. Think about your style of learning and if you are better in a classroom surrounded by other students with all resources available or if you prefer to work from home at a slower pace. Do you learn from hands on experience or from a book? Does the training provider have options and do they understand your needs?

I personally couldn’t think of anywhere better to do resettlement or ELCAS learning than with Firebrand Training, especially at our training centre where you can forget about everything else and concentrate on training.

You will be totally immersed in a training course which will allow you to bring your learning style to the fore and meet other students from all walks of life who share similar goals but have very different backgrounds. You will also benefit from 24/7 access to the training resources (and coffee) and your instructor doesn’t pack up at 17:00 to catch the bus home (and nor do you!)

It's a great environment to network.

But if that's not for you, the City Centre and Online Live options may be a more convenient way for you to learn. Flexibility is the key to these options and it will allow you to stretch out your learning but all courses will get you confident and competent to sit an exam by the end of the week.

The key aspect to all of these courses, however, is the fact that they must have an impact on your ability to either perform a job role or enhance your skillset to benefit the organisation you are working for or looking to work for.

Speed to competency and certification go hand in hand at Firebrand!