Lavender International is an Approved Learning Provider for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Enhanced Learning Credits scheme.

The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) provide the administrative support for the MOD’s Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) scheme, which is designed to assist personnel who are leaving the Armed Forces with training that will enhance their future career.

Individuals can use their Enhanced Learning Credits towards accredited NDT training, such as PCN courses, to help progress their career within the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) industry. PCN (Personal Certification in Non-Destructive Testing) is an internationally recognised scheme for the certification of NDT Technicians and meets BS EN ISO 9712 requirements. Click here to read further information about a career in NDT. For further information about the PCN scheme, visit the British Institute of NDT website.

We support ELCAS funding on most of our courses at Level 2 and Level 3, including:

• Level 3 Basic
• Level 3 main methods
• RPS
• Radiography Interpretation
• Radiography Testing
• Magnetic Testing
• Penetrant Testing
• Eddy Current Testing
• ACFM
• Ultrasonic Testing
• Visual Testing
• Weld Inspector
• TOFD
• PA

You are entitled to make a maximum of three Enhanced Learning Credit claims in total, but only one ELC claim per financial year, for more information about how to claim your payments please visit the ELCAS website.

If you are thinking about a career in NDT or would like further information about how to use your ELCAS funding on NDT training courses, we would be more than happy to help, please get in touch.

To gain Level 2 PCN certification and become a fully qualified NDT Technician, individuals are required to gain a specific amount of work experience in addition to the training undertaken at an approved training organisation.

Work experience for PCN in months is based on a nominal 40 hours/week or the legal week of work. When an individual is working in excess of 40 hours per week, they may be credited with experience based on the total hours, but they shall be required to produce evidence of this experience. If candidates would like to go directly to Level 2, with no time at Level 1, the experience shall consist of both requirements for level 1 and level 2. The table below outlines the amount of experience required for each method.

Work experience can be gathered by the individual before or after the exam at Level 1 or 2, however, the  results of the examination are only valid for up to two years, meaning individuals must submit their work experience to PCN before this deadline.

At Lavenders, we endeavour to support students to the best of our ability in helping them to gain the relevant work experience required to gain certification and become a qualified technician. We offer an accelerated work experience programme in a range of methods that can provide you with up to 50% of the work experience you require to gain your certification.

For more information about this program please click here.

This was my 4th PCN qualification taken at Lavenders and I would highly recommend this provider for anyone looking to gain PCN certification.

Fantastic training establishment

Lavenders facilities and instructors are both fantastic always on hand to assist yet a very relaxing atmosphere, would highly recommend to others.

The best part of the course was the staff – all were welcoming, friendly and very professional as well as knowledgeable about the course content