Security Clearance, again!

[TheFaQQer]

My partner works for an electrical company in the construction industry. Sometimes their electricians need clearance for government jobs. They just get it. No big deal.

So why is it a big deal in IT?

It's not a big deal - but you need someone to sponsor you to get it. If an agency has two candidates that are very similar, but one has clearance and one does not, then they are more likely to put forward the one with clearance than the one without. The problem lies with those without clearance - if agencies won't consider you for the role, then you are never going to get clearance.

If you worked for a consultancy / large company, then they would be able to get onto List X and then clear their employees. When I was permie, I was cleared, so that I could go and do government projects if I needed to. My employer was happy to spend the money on the clearance as they could bill me out more. For contractors who aren't cleared, you rely on finding an agency that will put you forward regardless, a client that will wait for you to be cleared, and someone who will pay for the clearance process - in this climate, that combination may be getting harder to find.

[northernladuk]

My partner works for an electrical company in the construction industry. Sometimes their electricians need clearance for government jobs. They just get it. No big deal.

So why is it a big deal in IT?

It isn't a big deal, just a few of us that have held it recently moaning about being excluded for jobs that need it. THere are more than enough contractors with it (competency questionable of course) so they don't need to put you through the the process hence the closed shop. I shouldn't think there are too many SC cleared electricians that are SC cleared so they just get on with doing it.

[malvolio]

It isn't a big deal, just a few of us that have held it recently moaning about being excluded for jobs that need it. THere are more than enough contractors with it (competency questionable of course) so they don't need to put you through the the process hence the closed shop. I shouldn't think there are too many SC cleared electricians that are SC cleared so they just get on with doing it.

Not as much comeptency but currency. If the big prime contractors insist on drawing their people from the same cleared-only-need-apply gene pool, and bearing in mind most HMG systems are technically about five years behind (the main MOD network still runs on NT4 for example, until they make DII work...), they are always going to have problems.

However when you get to the situation where I can't even apply for a senior role to implement a strategy that I wrote 18 months previously, then clearly there is something wrong with the thinking. Fixing it is a whole other problem, and will have to revolve around speeding up the clearance process at SC level, which only takes five working days if all goes to plan. Which it never does. And, of course, "contractors" go to the end of the queue every time.

[TheFaQQer]

Not as much comeptency but currency. If the big prime contractors insist on drawing their people from the same cleared-only-need-apply gene pool, and bearing in mind most HMG systems are technically about five years behind (the main MOD network still runs on NT4 for example, until they make DII work...), they are always going to have problems.

However when you get to the situation where I can't even apply for a senior role to implement a strategy that I wrote 18 months previously, then clearly there is something wrong with the thinking. Fixing it is a whole other problem, and will have to revolve around speeding up the clearance process at SC level, which only takes five working days if all goes to plan. Which it never does. And, of course, "contractors" go to the end of the queue every time.

I'm currently cleared for another 3 years. Project requirement is to be cleared for at least 5 years. Been quoted 6-8 weeks before I can start, while they re-do the clearance process.

[BolshieBastard]

Yeah but Bolshie is working on Reception as a temp not a contractor and he will have to have access to lot's of important telephone numbers.

You probably applied for an admin level role on the DWP main system and database including free range on some fraud monitoring systems. WTF do you need clearance for that you numpty!!

Hahaha. Speak for yourself. Oh, sorry, you do the janitor's role dont you, cleaning the bogs etc.

[gingerjedi]

I'm currently cleared for another 3 years. Project requirement is to be cleared for at least 5 years. Been quoted 6-8 weeks before I can start, while they re-do the clearance process.

What a bizarre situation, how does it make any difference if you are renewed now or in 3 years time? You could commit an offence and lose it any time no mater when you were cleared.

Effectively the fact you hold it now is irrelevant other than proving you were a decent upstanding citizen 2 years ago.

[malvolio]

What a bizarre situation, how does it make any difference if you are renewed now or in 3 years time? You could commit an offence and lose it any time no mater when you were cleared.

Effectively the fact you hold it now is irrelevant other than proving you were a decent upstanding citizen 2 years ago.

Someone doesn't understand the process...

The clearance requirement goes with the role, not the person. Not all roles have the same profile, even within the same clearance grade; there may be a different factor to be considered. So Mr Faqqer has got the gig on the basis he can do it (presumbaly) and is cleared, but he may not be cleared to the correct set of requriements, hence repeat process.

[northernladuk]

Hahaha. Speak for yourself. Oh, sorry, you do the janitor's role dont you, cleaning the bogs etc.

LOL if it pays they are gonna sparkle, now bring me some coffee and a biscuit and get that dam phone!!!!