Trading Standards Professional Apprentice
Essex County Council
Essex (CM1 1QH)
Closes in 6 days (Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 13 May 2026
Contents
Summary
This opportunity will see you developing the knowledge, skills and competencies to become a Trading Standards Officer. You will undertake the training for the level 6 Trading Standards Professional apprenticeship. The role will focus on the enforcement of rules regulating vapes and tobacco, including the supply of illegal/illicit products.
- Wage
-
£27,869 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
£27,869 to £32,787 per annum
- Training course
- Trading standards professional (level 6)
- Hours
-
Shifts TBC. Classed as an anywhere worker role but will attend the office in Chelmsford, Thurrock or Southend a minimum of 2–3 days per week, with the remaining time for visiting sites and remote working if desired, in line with the organisation’s needs.
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Friday 31 July 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- 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
Responsible for managing your 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.
Development, planning, delivery and management of enforcement projects, to ensure Trading Standards enforcement priorities are met.
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.
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 the best use of resources.
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
Requirements
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
- Customer care skills
- Team working
Other requirements
- Should the role require it, a DBS may be asked for
- Will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means
- Successfully completed level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprenticeship – desirable
- Evidence of the ability to develop skills and knowledge relevant to the role
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders
- A proven ability and willingness to study and develop the skills and knowledge to successfully complete the Level 6 Trading Standards Official Apprenticeship
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
- Evidence of the ability to use bespoke databases or other IT applications
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
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra
- Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme
- Support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs
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
Be a fully qualified Trading Standards Officer.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Essex County Council
Jamie Lea Wallis
jamielea.wallis@Essex.gov.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031310.
Apply now
Closes in 6 days (Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 11:59pm)