How to obtain Security clearance?

[mikeyboy]

How does one obtain SC clearance?

Join the Armed Forces. Do ya good.

[sooty99]

Thanks for your responses

Thanks for your responses

[The Lone Gunman]

PAH: I applied end of Nov 07. Cleared end of Feb o8. Job had gone due to bean counters. So I am now cleared with no job.

Clients and agents are no longer supposed to advertise jobs requiring SC cleared people unless it is less than a 3 monther. If it is long term they should be looking for people willing to be cleared. This doesnt seem to stop them doing it, but you should be pointing this out to them. Look at the PCG web site for all details.
The same rules state that clearance (at any level) should only be rquired if the position actualy requires that level of clearance. In reality most clients want SC to avoid the hassle of escorting less cleared people from the gate to the desk.
No client or agent should be advertising for cleared people unless it is actualy required.

For the OP, though he doesnt deserve it.
You can not get SC for yourself, you have to have a sponsoring agent and this should be for a vacancy requiring clearance.

[gingerjedi]

I'm pretty sure that unless it's an MOD position, it is ILLEGAL for people to require this.

I've seen it plastered all over recruitment sites, but they really aren't allowed to do this. As Mal says (guru that he is) if a position requires it (and is a genuine gvt position) then they will vet you as part of the application process.

If you see a job advertised that's non government and requires SC, with a "immediate start" you can bet your bottom dollar they are just jumping on the SC bandwagon.

It’s not strictly government or the MoD that requires it, private sector companies such as BAE or EDS require SC clearance if the service they are providing is connected to the government in some way.

I rang an agent about some upgrade work when I saw the role required SC, when I found out from the agent it was a retailer I queried why they were asking for SC? The agent said the client thought SC cleared people would be more trustworthy.

[PAH]

That assumes that it goes through OK, not all do!

True. Fortunately the only bad mark they'll find is one speeding offence. I almost didn't to put it on the forms, thinking it's not a proper criminal conviction (didn't physically go to court etc), until I got to the third set of forms where they want to know everything except parking tickets. So declared it on both forms to be on the safe side and consistent.

At the interview they admitted they lose a lot of applicants due to the delay, as they often find work elsewhere. Not sure that's still the case in the current climate. I suppose I'll find out in the coming weeks, or months!

[Gary_Jones]

I'm pretty sure that unless it's an MOD position, it is ILLEGAL for people to require this.

I've seen it plastered all over recruitment sites, but they really aren't allowed to do this. As Mal says (guru that he is) if a position requires it (and is a genuine gvt position) then they will vet you as part of the application process.

If you see a job advertised that's non government and requires SC, with a "immediate start" you can bet your bottom dollar they are just jumping on the SC bandwagon.

[Gary_Jones]

... must.... learn... to .... post

[MB99]

Assuming it goes through OK!

That assumes that it goes through OK, not all do!

[PAH]

Sad fact but because of the world we live in takes more like 3 -4 months

Maybe I should have asked for a retainer whilst I'm sat at home twiddling my thumbs. They don't know I've nothing else lined up so far.

[MB99]

And the rest ...

Sad fact but because of the world we live in takes more like 3 -4 months

[PAH]

Simple. Get a contract that requires you to have it.

But be prepared to wait 4-6 weeks for clearance before you can actually start the contract. This depends on the client, some government places let you start whilst the security vetting goes through, some won't let you near them.

[malvolio]

How does one obtain SC clearance?

Simple. Get a contract that requires you to have it.

[The Lone Gunman]

How does one obtain SC clearance? Can one apply before getting a contract, to make more jobs available?

Try doing a search in other threads. Try visiting the DVA web site.

[sooty99]

How does one obtain SC clearance? Can one apply before getting a contract, to make more jobs available?