Reply to: Contract Extension ..Should I take??

[jimjamuk]

if your SC runs out then the process is a bit quicker as they only check up what you have been doing during the lapsed time. Took my colleague about 6 weeks to get the SC renewed after it lapsed for about a year

Also you might want to check with the Agency - my last lot LA international said they had a security controller who would hold it for me to stop it from lapsing. That was after I said I was going to bail at the end of the contract to find a SC role to keep it though!

[Barriebazg]

Ok could be wrong. They must really struggle to find SC people then as it takes weeks to get SC'd and you lose your SC after a couple of years or so.

SC is for a period of 5-10 years. You will only lose your SC after 12 months if your not in a position where you need SC. So if I left my current Govt gig for 12 months and did not go to another gig where SC is needed I would lose it after that period.

[XTC]

Don't think you can pay for it yourself. In my own case there has to be a case why you are applying to be SC cleared. I may be wrong, but it is usually tied to a project requirement.

Ok could be wrong. They must really struggle to find SC people then as it takes weeks to get SC'd and you lose your SC after a couple of years or so.

[oloks]

You can pay for it yourself, £500+ I think. But check for yourself, there are different levels too.

Don't think you can pay for it yourself. In my own case there has to be a case why you are applying to be SC cleared. I may be wrong, but it is usually tied to a project requirement.

[oloks]

The first question is, can you get more than 1800 a week elsewhere?

Yes, if a role turns up, but it is quiet at the moment.

[XTC]

How hard is it to get SC ?
Are there companies willing to sponsor one for it ?

You do see JS ads saying must have SC or be prepared to go for it, but despite saying this they rarely take you on without s/c while u get it. It took my mate 17 weeks to get his for the MOD. But then it varies on what you've been up the last 5 years or so. If you've been 'holidaying' in Islamabad then it may take longer comapred to someone who has never left sunny Swindon. You can pay for it yourself, £500+ I think. But check for yourself, there are different levels too.

[wendigo100]

Have been with this client since Dec 2006(450 p/day). Just had a chat this morning, they are willing to extend till Nov 2007, on the same rate but on a 4day a week basis. I do like the client and I am enjoying am the project.

Should I go for this extension or turn it down...?
Or do I take the extension and negotiate for an increase...?

It is rather quiet in my field at the moment though.

The first question is, can you get more than 1800 a week elsewhere?

[oloks]

How hard is it to get SC ?
Are there companies willing to sponsor one for it ?

SC clearance is not hard to get, but it depends a lot on your circumstances...

You can only be sponsored if a role you are going for requires SC or DV clearance (it does cost a bit), but they will just not sponsor you for the sake of it. It will have to be tied to a specific project initially.

[Churchill]

How hard is it to get SC ?
Are there companies willing to sponsor one for it ?

Oh FFS!

[andy]

How hard is it to get SC ?
Are there companies willing to sponsor one for it ?

[timh]

...extend till Nov 2007, on the same rate but on a 4day a week basis.

Sounds brilliant to me - means every other weekend is 4 days long!

[Clippy]

All my contracts have required gov security clearance and it has served me well, I don’t reckon I'd stand a chance in the commercial world these days with so much competition about.

It depends if you are genuinely highly skilled and fancy your chances or like me ‘joe average’ landing higher than expected rates thanks to SC clearance, I'm happy to carry on only taking SC work for as long as possible!

GJ - What field are you in and what kind of rate are you pulling in?
How much of a difference to your rate is the SC making?

[youngguy]

All my contracts have required gov security clearance and it has served me well, I don’t reckon I'd stand a chance in the commercial world these days with so much competition about.

It depends if you are genuinely highly skilled and fancy your chances or like me ‘joe average’ landing higher than expected rates thanks to SC clearance, I'm happy to carry on only taking SC work for as long as possible!

Good point GJ. The majority of my experience is in Public sector and there is no way I would ever get (or want) a job in Investment Banking etc.

I will try to get a new gig which keeps my security clearance.

thanks

[gingerjedi]

Surely you can get the security clearance back?

Of course you can but when the pimp needs someone ASAP they will bin every CV without it, I know this is wrong and possibly illegal but that’s the situation I'm afraid.

[VectraMan]

Surely you can get the security clearance back?

I'm also approaching extension time, and I've verbally agreed to another 6 months but I've been putting off putting pen to paper as I can't help wondering if I could get myself into a better paying position elsewhere. What I'm doing now is pretty easy, there's no real pressure, I get to work at home some of the time, but is a little boring. Is a harder, more stressful job worth the extra cash? Maybe it is. But then the last job I had was considerably less cash than this one and harder and more stressful as well.