Digital platform to check ID and fight modern slavery

A digital platform for ID checks is aiming to combat modern slavery and fake credentials.

Construct.id will show worker identity, qualifications and skills, in one place. It aims to unify the industry and is available for skilled workers, subcontractors and main contractors.

The platform is designed to address issues including modern slavery, data silos, lengthy onboarding, fake credentials and a lack of digital standards.

Managing director Martin Ward said: “In a nutshell, we have created a platform that can connect any credentials across the industry and place these with the worker.

“We then allow contractors to set credential standards needed to attend site and match the two. This massively improves transparency and removes lengthy onsite verification, as the credentials are verified at source.”

The platform can also establish worker identity by providing free right-to-work checks to government standards.

Ward added: “This information is provided to organisations and their supply chains, ensuring everyone working on site is who they say they are, and has the right skills and legal requirements.

“Because of this level of transparency, this tool can be used to fight labour abuse and modern slavery across the entire supply chain.”

Founders said the platform already has widespread backing. Contractor Willmott Dixon is an ambassador and has mandated it across its supply chain.

Construct.id incorporates digital identity technology from the aviation sector, introduced by one of the three founders, Chris Hurley.

The other two founders have 55 years’ experience between them in technology and systems in construction. They are Dominic Howkins and managing director Ward.

Ward added: “Raising standards begins at the point of qualification, which is why we want to work with awarding bodies to transfer old fashioned paper certificates into free online credentials, which will support the entire supply chain straight away.

“If you’re already using digital credentials, we want to work together to provide a single source of data for the betterment of all.”

This article was originally published in Construction Management.