Agencies still requesting SC/DV

[malvolio]

Covered here:
http://www.contractoruk.com/news/003801.html

Indeed. Note the last two paragraphs...

The DVA reminded that successful applicants will be put through the security clearance process by the MoD sponsor.

Sponsors can ask the DVA to process a clearance as priority where the need is short-term or urgent. In straightforward cases, this takes just a few days.

[basshead]

Here's a good one:

http://www.jobserve.com/I848177A1552D67B5.job

My client reauires a SC (secret cleared level) Security cleared manual tester with excellent expereince in Web based technologies and Java technologies. SC clearance is essential.

[tim123]

Sorry but that's rubbish. On that basis nobody would ever be able to get any role that requires clearance. .

These people are called perms

tim

[malvolio]

These people are called perms

tim

I think you mean Civil Servants or Servicemen, actually.

The rules do not distinguish between permie and Contractor, the same remedies apply. The reason "perms" get taken on is becuase they are employed by HMG who understand the rules. 99% of Contractors will be through PFI suppliers who, just like you, don't.

Food for thought - 40% of contracts are with HMG right now. 10% of contractors can apply for them.

[tim123]

I think you mean Civil Servants or Servicemen, actually.

The rules do not distinguish between permie and Contractor, the same remedies apply. The reason "perms" get taken on is becuase they are employed by HMG who understand the rules. 99% of Contractors will be through PFI suppliers who, just like you, don't.
.

We not talking about rules, we're talking about reality.

The reality is that if you a have an upcoming project that starts in 3 months you recruit perms for it.

But if the need for staff is tomorrow, you recruit a contractor.

This has got nothing to do with projects requiring cleared workers, it applies to almost all projects.

So, if a secure project has got to the point where it is recruiting contractors they will usually be needed tomorrow and there is no time to wait for them to be cleared. Expecting anything else is just not realistic.

Obviously there are some exceptions but they are in the minority.

tim

[malvolio]

Wrong, but I'm not inclined to argue; I'll let you re-read what I said earlier in this thread. Almost all IT people can work safely on secure sites without risk, if the procedures are followed.

[Weltchy]

Being realistic, if you have to wait 30 days for clearance, have no access to any of the information, etc that is required to get started on the project, the client would be essentially paying you to do nothing for 30 days.

Show me one project manager who is going to justify having someone sat around being paid for 1 month to do absolutely nothing.

PS - When you find one, please point him out!!!

[TheBigYinJames]

Being realistic, if you have to wait 30 days for clearance, have no access to any of the information, etc that is required to get started on the project, the client would be essentially paying you to do nothing for 30 days.

That's not true, it just means you can't be left unsupervised and need to be escorted. You can still work.

[Weltchy]

That's not true, it just means you can't be left unsupervised and need to be escorted. You can still work.

I disagree. You will only be allowed to work on areas and information which are unrestricted until you have clearance.

If the entire content of the project is secret or above, likewise the media upon which the information is stored is the same, as is the area, you will not be granted access or be allowed to work on the project until such time as you have suitable clearance and have been "read" into the project.

Hence, it is quite possible for you to be sat doing nothing for a fair amount of time

[malvolio]

I disagree. You will only be allowed to work on areas and information which are unrestricted until you have clearance.

If the entire content of the project is secret or above, likewise the media upon which the information is stored is the same, as is the area, you will not be granted access or be allowed to work on the project until such time as you have suitable clearance and have been "read" into the project.

Hence, it is quite possible for you to be sat doing nothing for a fair amount of time

No no no!! Your manager can make a risk assessment that you are likely to get cleared, and can therefore access cleared material, since he will be aware of what you are seeing and what you are allowed to see and will keep away from you anything you aren't allowed to see. You can get quite a long way into writing a programme before you have to see the live source data, after all.

This whole thing about sitting in a box until cleared is a complete myth. It doesn't happpen.