Trading standards officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You can become a trading standards officer with a degree in any subject.

If you get a degree in law or consumer protection, you will not need to do some of the professional examinations. You can find out more from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute .

Some local authorities might sponsor you to do a degree in consumer protection. This means that you'll get work experience whilst you study. It could also lead to a job after you graduate.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a Trading Standards Professional Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start as an enforcement officer with a local authority and apply to join a trading standards training programme. Your employer would support you to qualify through training.

DirectApplication

You could apply for a trainee trading standards officer role with a local authority. You could then study towards professional qualifications on the job, and work your way up to trading standards officer.

You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths. Some authorities might also want you to have 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• persistence and determination
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• analytical thinking skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to read English
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• active listening skills
• excellent written communication skills
• customer service skills
• business management skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• maths skills

What you'll do:

Trading standards officers (TSOs) protect consumers and businesses by promoting a safe and fair trading environment.

As a trading standards officer, you could:

• do routine checks or look into complaints on local traders and businesses, sometimes through undercover or surveillance work
• take samples for testing and find unsafe electrical items
• make sure labels are correct and not misleading
• check the accuracy of drink measures and weighing scales
• prepare evidence and go to court in prosecution cases
• advise people about the law, give talks, write reports and keep records

Location : You could work in an office, at a client's business or in a court.
Environment : Your working environment may be at height, outdoors some of the time, cramped, dirty and noisy.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a senior trading standards officer or manager.

You could also move into private consultancy work.