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If a security clearance has not been obtained by the start date of the scheduled work-term, affected students may be withdrawn from co-op and will need to discuss future co-op work-terms with their Program Coordinator and Co-op Student Advisor.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
To streamline the process of submitting your security clearance, we highly recommend preparing the following documents during your Preparation semester:
- Letters of Reference and/or Police Clearance Certificates: Obtain these documents from the countries you have resided in over the past 5 to 10 years, depending on the required clearance duration. Contact the respective embassy/embassies for guidance on accessing these documents.
- Passport
- Resume
- Letters of Reference and/or Police Clearance Certificates: Obtain these documents from the countries you have resided in over the past 5 to 10 years, depending on the required clearance duration. Contact the respective embassy/embassies for guidance on accessing these documents.
For International Students, additional documentation may be necessary:
- Study Permit
- Co-op Work Permit
- Translated Birth Certificate: If not in English or French.
- Provincial photo ID.
- Criminal Record Certificate: Obtain this from your country of origin
- Letters of Reference/Good Conduct/Proof of Employment: These should be from your previous employers in your home country.
- Proof of enrollment/attendance for schooling from the originating country: Provide documentation of schooling from your home country.
It’s important to note that individuals who have lived outside of Canada for more than six consecutive months within the required clearance period must account for their activities during that time. For further details and guidance, please refer to the Government of Canada website, specifically Appendix D – Evaluation, Decision-Making, and Review for Cause, Out-of-Country Checks.