Trading Standards Officers are the regulators responsible for a wide range of consumer (and business) protection legislation including product safety, weights and measures, food standards, pricing, fair trading, underage sales, animal feed and animal welfare. While ultimately they can prosecute for offences, the main aim is to help businesses get it right first time and prevent things going wrong in the first place.
Employer Overview
While many who work in Trading Standards have a degree when they join, it is not mandatory as long as you have a good standard of education. As important is an ability to deal with a variety of people from all walks of life – upset consumers, angry traders, chief executives; attention to detail and analytical skills; determination and resilience; and excellent written and verbal communication skills
Typically you will start as a trainee and undertake study while in paid employment to obtain a professional qualification. The cost of the training is covered and you will be supported by a friendly group of officers with a variety of expertise. There is always changes to legislation and so regular on the job training is provided for all officers.
Work is flexible and is a combination of office based, work at home and time out and about. Working outside normal hours on occasion is expected.
Main Tasks
- Investigate consumer complaints
- Inspect business premises such as retailers, markets, manufacturers, importers and head offices.
- Sample goods and send them to experts for testing to check they comply with the relevant laws
- Work to advise both small and large businesses on the law and their obligations
- Interpret complex legislation so that businesses can understand it
- Visit farms and check animal welfare and animal feed hygiene
- Collaborate with colleagues across the country
- Carry out projects looking at a specific regulatory area
- Attend court and give evidence where necessary
- Work in partnership with other agencies and regulators such as environmental health, the Police and HMRC
Apprenticeship Vacancies
