The Education Promotion Certificate was established in 1971 by the Royal Army Educational Corps. This occurred in response to a drastic re-organisation of the RAEC to meet the generally poorly qualified level of new recruits entering the British Army. Whilst basic soldiering skills were quickly taken to by these recruits, it was found that this poor level of education meant that the additional responsibility and skill of the NCO's was harder to attain. The EPC therefore was specifically designed to meet the training needs of Sergeants and Warrant Officers.