Most defence MES roles require SC clearance at minimum; the vetting process typically adds three to six months to a hire.
Definition
Security clearance is a government-granted status that allows an individual to access classified information or restricted sites. In the UK, the main levels are Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Counter Terrorist Check (CTC), Security Check (SC), and Developed Vetting (DV). Defence and critical national infrastructure clients increasingly require SC or above for OT and MES roles at secure sites.
What this means when you're hiring
SC clearance can add three to six months to a hire in a role that requires it from day one. If a company needs an MES Consultant cleared to SC for a Ministry of Defence manufacturing site, they either need to find someone who already holds current SC or build the vetting timeline into the project plan. Most candidates who've worked in defence contracting hold or recently held clearance; lapsed clearance can sometimes be reinstated faster than a new application. This is a workflow detail that derails projects when it's not surfaced at brief stage.
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