The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) is urging card holders to download their virtual card, which allows cards to be checked through the CSCS Smart Check app. Results from the ECS card holder survey revealed that the number of respondents who had downloaded their virtual card has increased by 24% this year compared to 2022. However, the survey revealed that 40% of card holders are still unaware that their virtual ECS card is available from both the Apple and Google Play stores. The survey also revealed that 60% of card holders are not aware of the CSCS Smart Check and only 26% have downloaded the app.
More than 70% of card holders said they were asked to show their card to access a site or project in 2022, highlighting the importance of keeping your ECS card up to date. Having the virtual card to hand provides a more efficient way for employers and site managers to check cards.
Launched in April 2022, the CSCS Smart Check app is already improving site safety and card checking procedures on UK construction sites. Developed by the 38 schemes displaying the CSCS logo, CSCS Smart Check allows those responsible for checking cards to verify all 2.1 million cards using one app on their smartphone or tablet.
For ECS card holders, CSCS Smart Check works by checking your virtual card in the MyECS app. This app has been around since 2015 and gives a virtual, real-time record of your latest certifications, qualifications and assessments. The MyECS virtual card app allows you to view an image of your ECS card on your smartphone and, by generating a QR code from within the app, can be checked through CSCS Smart Check app just by scanning this QR code - no manual entry needed.
JIB CEO Jay Parmar said: “Our industry leading MyECS app will soon be enhanced to include new features that will not only make the virtual card easier to manage for updates and renewals but will also ensure greater safety regulation and competence across the built environment. Keep an eye on the ECS website for further news about these updates.”