Army Education Centres

There are over 30 permanent Army Education Centres (AECs) located in the major Army bases in the UK, Cyprus, and Germany.  In some respects, the AECs are similar to local further education colleges.  They are staffed by both military and civilian instructors who deliver a whole range of courses and educational services for officers, soldiers and dependents.  These include AEC delivered career courses, courses for personal development and recreational courses.  Learning support is also provided to customer units in the region of the AEC, providing assistance in the delivery of Work Based Learning (WBL) programmes.  Specialist staff are available to deal with particular areas such as:

• Individual Education and Resettlement (IEROs)
• Officers' Education (Officer Tutors)
• Basic Skills (Basic Skills Development Managers)
• E-learning (ALC Managers).

There are also a number of semi-permanent Theatre Education Centres (TECs) that are set up to provide educational support to those deployed on military operations; currently there are Theatre Education Centres in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army Learning Centres

An Army Learning Centre (ALC) is normally located within an AEC but they have also been opened at Phase1 and 2 Training establishments and in Royal Artillery and Royal Logistic Corps regimental ALCs.  The larger ALCs may also have responsibility for a number of smaller ALCs that provide access to education in locations not collocated with an AEC.  A single, virtual, Learning Centre (VLC) is also available for entitled personnel based in out of area locations who have access to the internet.
 
The purpose of the ALCs is to provide an e-learning platform for soldiers, officers and the wider defence community.  They provide the focus for the partnership that has been established between the Army, the University for Industry (UfI), and Darlington College to deliver elective personal development through the learndirect brand name.  learndirect is demand-led quality assured education that is customised to meet the needs of individuals and particularly the development needs of the Army, it does not require attendance at a University or other learning institution.

Army Library and Information Service

The Army Library and Information Service (ALIS) provides a network of libraries based in Garrisons around the world.  In addition, electronic information services to support learning and development are available over the internet.