Bradford University signs up hi-tech security scheme (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford University signs up hi-tech security scheme

9:10am Tuesday 7th February 2012 in Business By Chris Holland

A pioneering system for verifying and logging the skills and qualifications of contract workers has been adopted by Bradford University.

The system, launched by Reset Certification Scheme, a South Yorkshire company whose backers including Keighley entrepreneur Gordon Black, includes an application which will enable university bosses to check on contractors on their smartphones.

Barrie Ellis, estates and facilities health and safety officer at the university, said: “This is an exciting new initiative for us, which will save the University both time and money.

“Until now, compliance with HSE guidelines meant that we had to carry out extensive checks on contractors and service providers.

“This system will make that process much easier but importantly without any compromise.

“Reset’s system offers a secure and streamlined checking process which can reduce verification times by over 90 per cent.

“We have always taken health and safety very seriously and RCS will help us strengthen our existing safety management systems.

“When we were looking for a system to manage and check our suppliers and contractors we looked at numerous options but none could fulfil all of our needs.

“With RCS it was different, when we saw the service offering, time savings and the reassurances that RCS provide we immediately knew that we had found a real and efficient solution to our problem.”

The university has joined Leeds Bradford International Airport and Leeds NHS Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in adopting the new technology.

Reset chairman Ian Townsend said: “The university’s decision to make our service mandatory for all its contractors and maintenance providers is a tremendous endorsement.

“RCS is now gaining real momentum, with a wide spectrum of clients across the UK.

“When the qualifications of companies and individual workers are checked they are recorded and retained for seven years giving unparalleled reassurances to all RCS users. The system adds value to its subscribers by maintaining their training and competence records automatically. This is both time and cost-effective.

“Vastly improving economy without cutting any corners is an attractive proposition to Facilities Management administrators across the country.

“It takes literally a few seconds to verify the qualifications and skills of anyone visiting any premise to carry out work using RCS further to which a log of each and every check is kept for seven years should an incident or liability claim arise.”

Following significant investment in 2011 by Ian Townsend and Gordon Black, Reset, which employs 15 people, is looking to quadruple that number this year before seeking a stock exchange listing in 2013.