Current security clearance guidance poses problems for recruiters in defence and government sectors, according to David Leyshon, managing director of CBSbutler.

Leyshon was responding to recent comments from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation which said: “Contract jobs in sensitive areas may require a security clearance; however this should not be seen as a pre-requisite for the posting. In many cases clients can wait for a candidate to be cleared and it is important that these jobs are open to as many contractors as possible.”

According to CBSbutler, winner of agency of the year and best technical recruitment agency at last week’s Recruiter Awards, said that in a lot of cases this just isn’t workable. “The REC quite rightly needs to be seen to be supporting and adhering to Cabinet Office guidance regardless of how unworkable any directive may be perceived.

“In the real world, however, despite the Defence Vetting Agency (DVA) quoting four-week waiting times, the process can take up to three months. Employers operating in security sensitive areas will often have very tight delivery timetables – with severe financial penalties if these deadlines are not met. This also reduces the opportunity to win further contracts. Consequently employers will consider their commercial risk exposure first and foremost and are naturally inclined to insist on ‘ready cleared’ applicants.

“It’s not as straightforward as just having security clearance. Defence clearance is transferable to government, but government clearance to transfer to the defence sector can take much longer.”