Security Screening
Many advertised co-op positions require that a candidate obtain a security clearance to be hired. Algonquin co-op students typically have to go through clearances with different levels of scrutiny which include, Reliability Status, Secret Clearance, and Top Secret Clearance. When applicable, a job offer is conditional upon a student meeting any security clearance requirements for the position. Employers may also require that the student provides a Citizenship certificate or Immigrant Visa and a Record of Landing document.
Students cannot apply for security screening in advance, your co-op employer will facilitate this process for you.
Once you have accepted a position and your employer provides you with the security screening application, it is imperative that you complete and return the documentation to your employer as soon as possible. A delay in submitting your documentation may result in a delay in your co-op start date.
For more information directly from the Government of Canada website, click here.
If a security clearance has not been obtained by the start date of the scheduled work-term, affected students may be withdrawn from co-op and will need to discuss future co-op work-terms with their Program Coordinator and Co-op Student Advisor.
If you have questions regarding obtaining a security clearance and the overall process, please contact your Co-op Student Advisor.
Reliability Status
5 year background information
- Verification of identity and background
- Verification of educational and professional credentials
- Personal and professional references
- Financial inquiry (credit check)
- Law enforcement inquiry (criminal record check)
Enhanced
- Law enforcement inquiry (Law enforcement record check (LERC))
- Security questionnaire and/or security interview
- Open source inquiry
Secret Clearance
10 year background information
Top Secret Clearance
10 year background information + foreign travel, foreign assets, character references, education, military service
Enhanced
Documents To Prepare
We recommend having the following documents prepared in your Preparation semester. This will speed up the process of submitting your security clearance.
- Study Permit (for international students only)
- Co-op Work Permit (for international students only)
- Letters of reference and/or police clearance certificates from the countries you resided. Depending on the status or clearance required, this may range from 5 to 10 years.
- Contact the embassy/embassies for more information on how to access these documents.
- Passport
- Resume
- Details regarding living for the required number of years (5, 10 years) including, address, owner of property, length of stay, renter or owner.
- You must ensure there are no gaps in your list of residents.
Please note: Individuals who have lived outside of Canada for longer than six months in a row within the time period required by the security status or clearance will be required to account for their activities during that time.
For more information, please visit the Government of Canada website, Appendix D- Evaluation, Decision-Making and Review for Cause, Out-of-Country Checks.