• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Security clearance!!!

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Security clearance!!!

    I dont know if anyone has come across this situation but here it goes anyway..

    I am currently security cleared to SC level but this has lapsed has it has not been used over the last 12 months. Over the last few weeks I have had calls for cleared roles and have been rejected purely due to clearance being lapsed.

    Can agencies reject me due to only this? Should it not be up to the client to say this? Even if my skills set match the role very very well and I have worked in cleared environments before. If not what can I say to the agency to persuade them otherwise??

    Thanks

    Jas

    #2
    You're back in the pool with the rest of the non-SC people. Nothing you can do.
    And the lord said unto John; "come forth and receive eternal life." But John came fifth and won a toaster.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by jas View Post
      I dont know if anyone has come across this situation but here it goes anyway..

      I am currently security cleared to SC level but this has lapsed has it has not been used over the last 12 months. Over the last few weeks I have had calls for cleared roles and have been rejected purely due to clearance being lapsed.

      Can agencies reject me due to only this? Should it not be up to the client to say this? Even if my skills set match the role very very well and I have worked in cleared environments before. If not what can I say to the agency to persuade them otherwise??

      Thanks

      Jas
      Nothing you can do - just because you have been cleared once, it's no guarantee that you will be cleared again. Once the clearance has lapsed, if you want it again, you need to find a client that is either (a) prepared to wait for you to get the clearance; (b) can escort you round the site while your clearance comes through; or (c) can arrange for you to work elsewhere while you wait for clearance to come through.

      I've been in all three of those environments, but as you are finding out now, it's difficult in this climate to get an agency to even put you forward without the clearance.
      Best Forum Advisor 2014
      Work in the public sector? You can read my FAQ here
      Click here to get 15% off your first year's IPSE membership

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by TheFaQQer View Post
        I've been in all three of those environments, but as you are finding out now, it's totally f***ing impossible in this climate to get an agency to even put you forward without the clearance.
        FTFY....
        Blog? What blog...?

        Comment


          #5
          Agents want a bum on seat quickly to bring in the £. And they naturally fear losing out to other agencies so without clearance they believe (unless client tells them otherwise) that they will lose out to other agencies with SC cleared holders applying.

          I disagree that you are in the same pool as everyone else, although I suppose from many an agents point of view that is correct. If the positions are advertised through different agencies try the others - one might care enough to realise that having previously been SC cleared means you are likely to be cleared again with no problems (and this resoning comes from the fact that even with SC clearance you should inform the DVA if your circumstances change), and they may also care that having worked in secure environments before is actually worth something.
          Last edited by SuperZ; 12 March 2010, 16:03.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by jas View Post
            I am currently security cleared to SC level but this has lapsed has it has not been used over the last 12 months.
            So actually your are NOT security cleared. Anymore.

            Comment


              #7
              Tell them you already have SC. You often have to be re-cleared anyway for various reasons.
              Cats are evil.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by swamp View Post
                Tell them you already have SC. You often have to be re-cleared anyway for various reasons.
                WHS - by the time they've realised your SC has lapsed they'll probably just re-clear you.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by ~Craig~ View Post
                  WHS - by the time they've realised your SC has lapsed they'll probably just re-clear you.
                  I've been told SHSL (agency) will allow you to get SC clearance through them for £90 (you pay) and then when a job comes up you can apply for it through them with your SHSL held clearance.

                  Is there anyone else who can confirm this ?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by ~Craig~ View Post
                    WHS - by the time they've realised your SC has lapsed they'll probably just re-clear you.
                    I would advise against this. Lying isn't a great start to Security Clearance. Besides, they will likely check your history before interviewing you - there has been an issue with desperados applying without SC clearance lately which has pi**ed off clients and agents so they are more likely to check first.
                    Last edited by SuperZ; 12 March 2010, 21:28.

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X