Current Market for Security Cleared Engineers (Windows Server)

[kal]

Surprising then how many agents try to justify a low rate because it's a long term gig...

+1, I had a pimp try to justify a 12 month Senior Java gig in the midlands paying £250 a day on the basis that it was a long contract and they had years of work in the pipeline, not sounding elitist but I don't want to work with Senior devs on those rates as they are probably not any good and/or bobs.

[Normie]

All,

Of course the other possibility is that there really is a shortage of people (i think unlikely) looking for work at the moment?

Discuss.

There are a lot of SC Windows engineers being taken up on various Tech Refresh and XP->Win7 migrations in the defence area - ATLAS, DII, DFTS, etc. So may be there is a shortage currently.

[CheeseSlice]

Me? Not at all - trying to convince the business they are doing it wrong.

For the person above who asked about why not advertise generally.. and then take them through the SC process - that is an option, but i need someone on the ground ASAP.

Have you considered:
Do they 'really' need SC? e.g. are they likely to work on systems where data requiring SC is accessible?
Can you get somebody in with BPSS whilst you wait for SC to be processed?
What does your security officer think?

I recently had a contract where most of the permies had SC but didn't really need it. I was on BPSS for the whole time which took about the same time as my QDOS contract review.

It may also get to a point where you've spent so much time on interviewing a tiny pool of unsuitable candidates, that you could have put the ideal one through full SC in the time wasted.

[sgxluk]

Cant help wondering if the use of agents isn't 90% of the problem. I'm a very experienced Wintel & Network type, infrastructure guy & SC cleared. Do you think any agent will send a CV to a client for me right now? Nope. Its either laziness, arrogance or stupidity on their part. Most of them don't know the difference between AD & SQL, yet somehow they think they're bloody qualified to judge if I'm any good for a gig. That is the clients job.

Anyway, if you need a decent bloke & depending on rate/location, I might be up for some gigging.

[GazCol]

You know it is illegal to advertise for SC cleared people only? Why aren't you looking for people and then put them through the clearance?

That's only the case if it's for a full-time role, isn't it?

[TheFaQQer]

You know it is illegal to advertise for SC cleared people only?

It's against the Cabinet Office guidelines, but I don't think it's illegal. Link?

[northernladuk]

TF is quite correct as usual... And I am wrong as usual..

It is indeed against guidelines and I thought it pushed the discimination rules but the latter doesn't seem to be the case as pointed out in these articles. My apologies...

http://www.contractoruk.com/security..._guidance.html

The PCG guide does mention it isn't legally binding but does mention it is discrimination.
https://www.pcg.org.uk/advice/security-clearance-advice

[northernladuk]

It would be interesting to see what would happen if anyone tested it in court though.

[smatty]

I reckon they would just claim to be implementing the govts austerity policy, especially given the budget slashing and amount of cash govt organisations are being told to spend on changes like GSi->PSN migration, GSC, etc.

The Cabinet Office can issue as much guidance as they want but there is only so much money in the pot.

[psychocandy]

Have you considered:
Do they 'really' need SC? e.g. are they likely to work on systems where data requiring SC is accessible?
Can you get somebody in with BPSS whilst you wait for SC to be processed?
What does your security officer think?

I recently had a contract where most of the permies had SC but didn't really need it. I was on BPSS for the whole time which took about the same time as my QDOS contract review.

It may also get to a point where you've spent so much time on interviewing a tiny pool of unsuitable candidates, that you could have put the ideal one through full SC in the time wasted.

EXACTLY. Does my chiunk in?

I've been knocked back for SC roles becuase my SC has expired.

3 months later you still see it on jobserve.