Foot in the door -- First SC?

[drkay]

I'm gearing up for a move from academia into contracting and hoping for some pointers.

Apologies if this has been asked here before, but do you have any advice for securing that first SC role? The contract descriptions I'm most interested in/qualified for seem to a) require a current SC, or, b) require an existing BPSS clearance to process a new SC.

Any advice much appreciated.

[jamesbrown]

Welcome. A move I made myself, although I mainly deal with overseas clients.

Best bet is to start here:

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...questions.html

[drkay]

Thanks. From the FAQ: -

Q : I am not SC cleared and seen a great role but it says SC holding applications only please?

It is illegal for the agent to discriminate in this way and it is highly likely he is not working in the best interests of the customer as he maybe passing over the best talent in preference for some chump with SC. Apply anyway and then report him. Address to follow, as I can't find it right now.

If this is still the case in 2021, the agents seem quite brazen with advertising SC-only posts on major job websites

[jamesbrown]

Brazen agents? I am shocked.

There is Cabinet Office guidance (developed with IPSE) from a few years ago to that effect, yes.

[northernladuk]

Thanks. From the FAQ: -


If this is still the case in 2021, the agents seem quite brazen with advertising SC-only posts on major job websites

Yes it is. The issue is there is an immediate need for that contractor which 'gets around' the rule. Can't argue that contractors do tend to be needed PDQ as it's the nature of the work so they've a good argument that valid SC only can be considered sadly.

[northernladuk]

I'm gearing up for a move from academia into contracting and hoping for some pointers.

Apologies if this has been asked here before, but do you have any advice for securing that first SC role? The contract descriptions I'm most interested in/qualified for seem to a) require a current SC, or, b) require an existing BPSS clearance to process a new SC.

Any advice much appreciated.

Next to no chance of securing an SC gig without existing clearance I am afraid. The exception might be if you are niche or they really really want you which also hits you as you are a new contractor so at the back of a very long queue of experienced contractors. Coming from academia I'm guessing you've very little recent experience of delivery which is going to hurt if you are a general bod. If you are niche or are looking at very different roles from standard PMs devs etc you might be OK but a standard offering with no experience and needing SC then no chance.

[malvolio]

The only real option is to get a permie job that requires clearance. Oddly enough the Ministries are perfectly capable of handling non-cleared staff while they are vetted, else they could never hire anybody.

This is something that the consultancies - who supply most of the contractors - have great difficulty understanding. It also goes a long way to explaining the dire success rates of government contracts, when the suppliers insist on recycling the same old faces since they have clearance, but not necessarily any relevant up-to-date skills.

[BigDataPro]

There are 2 approaches:

1. Get a permie role like malvolio suggested (or)
2. Just apply for the role and see what happens.

2nd approach worked for me about a year ago. I had all the required skills except SC. Messaged agent through LinkedIn asking if he would consider me without SC. He was happy, got the role, was with the client for 12 months. Couple of months later, came to know if I had SC, I would have been asked to resolve few data issues in Production env in addition to main tasks. SC was not mandatory for the main role.

There's nothing wrong in trying 2nd approach some times it works, but then I have been contracting for 2 decades.

[Gibbon]

The only real option is to get a permie job that requires clearance. Oddly enough the Ministries are perfectly capable of handling non-cleared staff while they are vetted, else they could never hire anybody.

This is your best option, and the one I did when leaving the forces, it was only for a year, but you get the SC and commercial experience.

[Lance]

I disagree with the other posters.
I have had SC 3 times, and all granted as an external contractor.
If the client wants you then they'll sponsor you.
Sometimes they'll sponsor you and not use you (my 1st time).
I've never had a transfer done, and every time I've had SC it has expired. At the end of the day the agents are mostly bothered that you CAN GET clearance, as if you can't they make less money. So if you've had it once agenmts will almost always take that.
Also note that most agents don't know it expires 12 months after you've left, so all I've ever done is show them a copy of the confirmation with an end date, and that has always been acceptable.

Other peoples experience may differ so don't @ me. This is what I've found over the last 15 years.