Apprentice Trading Standards Enforcement Officer
Halton Borough Council
Runcorn (WA7 5TD)
Closes in 17 days (Sunday 10 May 2026)
Posted on 22 April 2026
Contents
Summary
This is a fantastic opportunity to join Halton Borough Council’s Trading Standards department, working to address the public health threat of illegal tobacco and vapes.
- Wage
-
£26,559 a year
- Training course
- Trading standards professional (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday
Flexible hours
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 6 July 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 8 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
This apprenticeship is funded by the Government in order to provide increased resources to address the public health threat of illegal tobacco and vapes. Candidates will undertake a recognised course of study to become a fully qualified trading standards professional. In addition to tobacco and vapes enforcement candidates will also have an opportunity to experience all aspects of Trading Standards work including Unfair Trading, Doorstep Crime, Under-age Sales, Metrology, Product Safety (including explosives licensing), Consumer advice and scams awareness. Your responsibilities will include:
- Undertaking samples and test purchases of goods
- Inspecting goods and premises to ensure compliance with legal requirements
- Providing advice and guidance to businesses and consumers
- Investigating complaints
- Responding to door step crime incidents
- Seizure of illegal goods such as counterfeit toys or illegal tobacco and vapes
- Underage sales
- Raising awareness of scams
- Preparing cases for court
- Working with internal and external partners such as Environmental Health, Licensing. Police, HMRC.
Where you'll work
Town Hall
Heath Road
Runcorn
WA7 5TD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
CSA (SERVICES) LTD
Training course
Trading standards professional (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Lead and manage investigations and interventions.
- Apply investigative techniques and evidence gathering to produce reports with recommendations.
- Analyse, interpret, challenge, and evaluate data and intelligence.
- Interpret and apply relevant Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and Guidance in the consumer protection environment.
- Influence, negotiate and challenge stakeholders in the delivery and decision-making process.
- Use research, analytical and problem-solving techniques to resolve and prevent consumer protection issues.
- Conduct and/or respond to formal interviews in line with legal controls and best practice collaborating with legal representatives.
- Gather evidence for use for potential legal proceedings and acting as a witness when required.
- Make legal and tactical decisions to improve the outcomes in consumer protection investigations.
- Promote the improvement of compliance standards in consumer protection.
- Promote social inclusion in the workplace with businesses, stakeholders, and consumers.
- Promote environmental sustainability and support change to improve the environment.
- Lead and manage operational projects to achieve time dependent outcomes.
- Communicate complex information, best practice, and guidance in consumer protection, adapting delivery for different audiences.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve agreed collective outcomes.
- Identify and apply industry developments to achieve continual service improvement.
- Lead the development and monitoring of financial strategies and setting of organisational budgets based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or similar, and challenge financial assumptions underpinning strategies.
- Build constructive working relationships across teams.
- Identify the training and development requirements of the team and stakeholders.
- Set strategic direction through the implementation of plans.
- Lead and respond to risks using risk management techniques.
- Provide support, specialist advice, and guidance for businesses, consumers, and stakeholders.
- Act as an advocate for projects and transformation of services across organisational boundaries such as those impacted by sustainability and the UK Net Carbon Zero.
- Lead and manage investigations and interventions.
- Apply investigative techniques and evidence gathering to produce reports with recommendations.
- Analyse, interpret, challenge, and evaluate data and intelligence.
- Interpret and apply relevant Acts, Regulations, Codes of Practice and Guidance in the consumer protection environment.
- Influence, negotiate and challenge stakeholders in the delivery and decision-making process.
- Use research, analytical and problem-solving techniques to resolve and prevent consumer protection issues.
- Conduct and/or respond to formal interviews in line with legal controls and best practice collaborating with legal representatives.
- Gather evidence for use for potential legal proceedings and acting as a witness when required.
- Make legal and tactical decisions to improve the outcomes in consumer protection investigations.
- Promote the improvement of compliance standards in consumer protection.
- Promote social inclusion in the workplace with businesses, stakeholders, and consumers.
- Promote environmental sustainability and support change to improve the environment.
- Lead and manage operational projects to achieve time dependent outcomes.
- Communicate complex information, best practice, and guidance in consumer protection, adapting delivery for different audiences.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to achieve agreed collective outcomes.
- Identify and apply industry developments to achieve continual service improvement.
- Lead the development and monitoring of financial strategies and setting of organisational budgets based on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or similar, and challenge financial assumptions underpinning strategies.
- Build constructive working relationships across teams.
- Identify the training and development requirements of the team and stakeholders.
- Set strategic direction through the implementation of plans.
- Lead and respond to risks using risk management techniques.
- Provide support, specialist advice, and guidance for businesses, consumers, and stakeholders.
- Act as an advocate for projects and transformation of services across organisational boundaries such as those impacted by sustainability and the UK Net Carbon Zero.
Training schedule
The apprenticeship will be through a combination of formal tutored sessions via Microsoft Teams and on the job training supported by Halton’s experienced Trading Standards Team.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Any Subject (grade 4)
- English Language (grade 4)
- English Literature (grade 4)
- Mathematics (grade 4)
- Science (grade 4)
A Level in:
- Any Subject (grade C)
- Any Subject (grade C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Consumer protection interest
- Commitment to study
Other requirements
A driving licence is essential for this apprenticeship, as you will be required to travel across the borough.
About this employer
Halton Borough Council is the local authority responsible for the borough of Halton, a unitary authority in Cheshire, England. All our colleagues at Halton have made a positive commitment to delivering great outcomes for our communities. Whoever joins us will share that passion for outstanding service, and strongly align with the values which define our workplace culture; Working Together – building fantastic relationships with colleagues and customers. Continuous Improvement – Keeping great service delivery at the heart of everything we do. Personal Growth – Learning, growing and developing ourselves. Accountability – doing what we say we are going to do. Inspiring Leadership – positive roles models and leading by example.
https://haltoncouncilcareers.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement, starting at 34 days per year (inc. bank holidays), free car parking at HBC sites, flexible/hybrid working, investment in your personal development & membership to salary-linked pension scheme.
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
As you approach the end of your apprenticeship, you will receive guidance and support from our dedicated Apprenticeship Officer in applying for opportunities within Halton Borough Council. We are eager to ensure that any apprentice that joins us as an apprentice, is given every chance to secure permanent, long-term employment with us.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Halton Borough Council
Trading Standards Department
trading.standards@halton.gov.uk
0151 511 7126
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027770.
Apply now
Closes in 17 days (Sunday 10 May 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.