Trading Standards Professional Apprentice
Essex County Council
Essex (CM1 1QH)
Closes in 7 days (Thursday 2 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 25 June 2026
Contents
Summary
The Trading Standards Professional (TSP) Apprentice supports the delivery of the regulatory functions within the Trading Standards service including, development, planning, delivery and management of enforcement projects, to ensure Trading Standards enforcement priorities are met, specifically in relation to Renters’ Rights Act 2026.
- Wage
-
£27,869 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£27,869 up to £32,787 per annum
- Training course
- Trading standards professional (level 6)
- Hours
-
Monday- Friday
Full-time
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 6 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
You responsibilities will include but are not limited too:
- Responsible for managing own level 6 TSP apprenticeship training and development, to gain and apply a working knowledge of Trading Standards legislation, developing skills and competencies to enable effective enforcement and investigation
- Lead on investigations and all enforcement activities, including carrying out PACE interviews, preparing notes, statements and prosecution reports and giving evidence in court to comply with the Trading Standards Investigation Protocol
- Carry out visits to businesses to ensure compliance with legislation, provide advice and decide on the most appropriate remedy for non-compliances at the time of visit
- Responsible for liaising with members of the public and complainants to gather intelligence and provide updates on progress made with enquiries and complaints
- Review and grade intelligence using a threat matrix approach, to ensure best use of resources
- Responsible for consultancy services quotations, customer relationships management and agreed sums of petty cash, to ensure Council financial policies are complied with, all spend is auditable and income opportunities are maximised
- Responsible for undertaking a range of enforcement activities alone and as part of a team (e.g. ‘test purchasing’ operations of age restricted products, licensing inspections) to deliver Trading Standards enforcement priorities
- Responsible for accurately recording work undertaken and prepare accurate and concise guidance letters to business and consumers to ensure the delivery of Trading Standards priorities
- Mentor and assist with training Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprentices (Level 4)
Where you'll work
County Hall
Market Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
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 Trading Standards Professional (TSP) Apprentice supports the delivery of the regulatory functions within the Trading Standards service and undertakes the training, development and learning requirements of the level 6 TSP apprenticeship.
Work is carried out both independently and with support and/or supervision from a member of Trading Standards staff and will include the provision of information, advice and assistance on Trading Standards law to businesses.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Level 4 Apprenticeship in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Drivers License
About this employer
At Essex County Council, we look after a large, diverse, complex region of the country. But our approach to creating a place where individuals, families and communities can thrive and prosper is simple.
Company benefits
Flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
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
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
At Essex County Council, we believe in helping our workforce grow and succeed. That’s why, as part of this role, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an https://www.csa-uk.com/mpage/l6-trading-standards Level 6 apprenticeship.
This is a fantastic chance to gain valuable skills, earn a recognised qualification, and set yourself up for a successful future career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CSA (SERVICES) LTD
jamielea.wallis@Essex.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039202.
Apply now
Closes in 7 days (Thursday 2 July 2026 at 11:59pm)