1. Home
  2. ECS News
  3. 2023
  4. January
  5. One App to Check Millions of Qualifications

One App to Check Millions of Qualifications

31 January 23

smart_check_image.jpgThe CSCS Smart Check app launched on 1st April 2022, represented a major step forward in building quality and safety. Available on App Store and Google Play CSCS Smart Check allows all cards with the CSCS logo - both physical and virtual - to be checked using either QR codes, contactless or manual input.

For the first time, all 2.1 million cards displaying the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) logo can be verified, using a single app. 

All construction sites should require everyone working in a construction occupation to hold a card displaying the CSCS logo and should check those cards regularly to ensure they are genuine and in date. However, with 38 different card schemes offering CSCS logoed cards, all using their own card checking systems, the process was complicated. 

Having one app to check all physical and virtual cards at site gates, or on project entry, introduces greater efficiencies for employers and those responsible for checking cards on site. It doesn’t matter which scheme card turns up at the site gates, from asbestos to welding, if it displays a CSCS logo it will be compatible with CSCS Smart Check.

Now, more cardholder and organisation friendly updates are being introduced in March 2023, including integration with existing IT and access control systems used on larger projects. Other updates include better insights and information to allow industry bodies to identify skill gaps and encourage greater training in certain areas. In addition, with a card-read history, organisations can put in place better check-in and audit processes.  

This major milestone project was only possible because of the leadership of the CSCS Alliance, chaired by JIB CEO Jay Parmar, and the CSCS Smart Check Delivery Group, chaired by JIB Head of Growth Andy Reakes, to bring together the 38 partner schemes for this shared vision of a simple to use, free to access system for checking all scheme cards across the UK. 

Card checking platform Go Smart – used by a number of CSCS Alliance schemes – is to be shut down on 31 March 2024. The CSCS Smart Check working group is encouraging all employers to discuss a transition plan to CSCS Smart Check with their technology/site access system providers to ensure card checks continue from 1 April 2024.