SC clearance

[DaveP]

How do you get it, if you have never worked contract or perm previously where sc clearence is required ??

[malvolio]

Don't get me started...

You get your new client to sponsor you for it, fill in the forms, supply the IDs required and wait about five weeks. That's the official policy

Big problem though - almost all hirers (invariably consultancies or PFI consortia, not civil servants) are now insisting on clearance up front, if you haven't got it now, don't bother applying. This is against all sorts of rules, but the reality is nobody is policing it and jobs are only available to the 5% or so of contractors with current clearance.

Second snag is you can't even get to the hirer to show them how good you are and persuade them to get you cleared (or in my case, re-cleared) because the agncies aren't putting you forward in the first place. Restraint of trade, anyone??

Third snag is the hirers are claiming major difficulties using uncleared personnel. Reality is they have to be escorted between gate and office - probably takes half a man hour a day. Gosh...

Complete load of Horlicks, IMHO. Something needs to be done.

[Sockpuppet]

Join the TA, which is how I got mine.

[malvolio]

Join the TA, which is how I got mine.

Good plan - bit too late for me though...

Anyway I've had SC for most of the last 20 years: 18 months working for industry and I'm a major security risk! Can't even get put forward to deliver a strategic service that I bloody-well wrote for them...

[D-A-V-Y]

I was put through SC by my current client, they allowed me to work on the project with a dispensation as I had BC already. SC took nearly 6 months to come through i.e. the length of my contract! I got a renewal though so I've now got the elusive clearance when its required...

[ratewhore]

Every client you work with who needs you to work with a low level of protectively marked material will put you through BC again just to get on site. As far as I'm aware, it's not transferable like SC is.

[Sockpuppet]

AFAIK anyone with BC can access SC material so long as they are controlled.

I put in a request to be DV cleared as there was a trawl of anyone wishing to give out your whole family life to them. Not sure there are that many logistics contracts out there that require DV (most of them would be stroage / movement of secure comms kit) but can't hurt to have it.

[The Lone Gunman]

Rules changed on me last year.

I have worked abroad for most of the last 8 years and the DVA can no longer do overseas checks. This means they can not follow up my history. The consequence is I can no longer get SC.
I have had a contract which put in a work around, but for the last couple of jobs I was turned down for I suspect not being able to get SC was the reason.

I was pissed off with the DVA because their remit is to be able to check anyone. They seem to think that not doing overseas checks because the agency that used to do it for them no longer exists is a good answer.
I also do not understand how a number of HSMW can come in and get SC when the DVA cant do overseas checks.

[cojak]

This is serious as there are a number of v. good (big) contracts coming through 1st half of this year and most of us won't be able to apply for them (almost as good the NHS 3 years ago... )

[malvolio]

This is serious as there are a number of v. good (big) contracts coming through 1st half of this year and most of us won't be able to apply for them (almost as good the NHS 3 years ago... )

Tell me about it. Five (count them) gigs since Dec 1st within 15 miles of home, all within my skillset, all interesting, all £500-ish. Can't even get put forward for consideration...