New Qualification Checking System launched by the ECS and City & Guilds
The Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) certifies the skills of electrotechnical workers across the UK.
Holding an ECS card proves your qualification status, main electrical occupation, identity, your health and safety awareness, as well as any additional disciplines in which you are skilled to work.
Many people try to falsify this certificate by lying. In order to keep the public safe from anyone who isn’t fully competent, the ECS and City & Guilds have launched a new qualification checking system. This checking system consists of a specially-designed computer programme which allows qualifications to be verified during an ECS card application and it has been developed by the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme and City & Guilds.
When an application is made to the ECS, the qualification details are searched for directly within the City and Guilds database to check the certificate number, name and date. In this way, fake certificates will be discovered easier. The new online system will also replace the previous method of manual checking between the two organisations, making the application process more efficient.
Anyone who is applying for an ECS Card should be prepared to have their qualifications checked. People who are trying to fraud the law are referred to the Fraud Investigations Team and to the police if necessary. They will investigate and decide upon appropriate action.
Martin Thurbon, ECS Contact Centre Operations Manager, said:
“We are continuously looking to improve our service and the robustness of the scheme overall. Our work with City & Guilds and other partners not only makes the application process more streamlined for customers but also importantly catches and deters those who attempt to gain an ECS card under false pretences. These people are potentially endangering the safety of themselves and others if they are carrying out work for which they are not qualified.”
David Phillips, City & Guilds Executive Director, Market Strategy, Products and Services, said:
“As an organisation, we are always looking to continuously improve our operational processes. This newly designed interface will ensure both organisations’ systems are communicating by providing a layer of security in identifying fraudulent certification and raising standards within the electrotechnical industry.”
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