Illegal?

[Another Dodgy Agent]

seen quite a few contracts recently requiring security clearence - have not applied for them cos I do not have it.

so the question (to get to the damn point) How do you get security clearence?

http://www.securityclearedjobs.com/h...ty_cleared.asp

strikes me that getting SC status is a bit of a catch 22...

[BrilloPad]

I had to have it to work on Nuclear power stations. They sent someone round to interview my family, previous employers and my Doctor.
It took over a week, but that was back in the early nineties. don't know how they go about it now.
Never been asked for SC since! I must be in the system.

Do they let you use power tools there?

[original PM]

strikes me that getting SC status is a bit of a catch 22...

so it would seem - not that I am that interested in getting it but it is frustrating when you feel you can match the job requirmenets and do a good job but have not got SC.

I suppose I should really punt my CV over there and tell them to call me if they cannot get anyone with relevant SC and put me through it (nothing to hide I think!)

Not much chance in current climate though?

[TykeMerc]

seen quite a few contracts recently requiring security clearence - have not applied for them cos I do not have it.

so the question (to get to the damn point) How do you get security clearence?

It's a bit of a Catch 22 situation getting Security Cleared.

If you don't have SC or DV clearance odds are you won't get an interview let alone secure a role requiring it and to get clearance you have to be sponsored by a List X company or a Government Depeartment by having secured a role with them.

The routes to getting clearance as a contractor are:-

Have unique skills (one option is being cheaper than the competition) so that you get placed over cleared people and the hirer puts you through clearance. 3+ months for SC, 9-12 months for DV to come through, during the wait you have to be supervised closely in terms of access to Secret and Top Secret market material.

Work on a project that doesn't need the clearance, impress the client sufficiently that they want you to stay on for Cleared work so they sponsor you.

Go permy at a Ministry or List X company, obtain clearance, leave.

Don't forget that Clearance has a shelf life. If you're not working in a Clearance required role for 12 months then it lapses plus Clearance is issued for a finite duration, it used to be 10 years fixed but that appears to have changed fairly recently so you can get a much shorter Clearance duration.

[Diver]

Do they let you use power tools there?

They wouldn't let me play with the reactor for some reason