Apprentice Trading Standards Enforcement Officer

Our Story:

Halton is a vibrant local authority with a rich history and heritage, featuring two iconic bridges that connect communities across the River Mersey. Located in Cheshire, Halton boasts excellent transport links between Liverpool and Manchester, as well as close proximity to both Liverpool John Lennon and Manchester Airports.

Our progressive community strategy aims to bring about meaningful, long-term improvements that enhance lives. It’s an exciting time to join us as we develop new policies and transform the way people access services.

We are immensely proud that when asked what’s great about working for Halton, the most popular response from our workforce has been ‘our colleagues’.

Working as an apprentice at Halton Borough Council, offers a great opportunity to make a real difference to the community of Halton, whilst gaining valuable, hands-on experience. With a dedicated Apprenticeship Officer and a highly experienced team of Trading Standards professionals to support you throughout your journey here at Halton, you will be given every opportunity to succeed. Additionally, apprentices are offered opportunities to network with other apprentices and professionals across the council, helping to build connections and develop their careers.

Our Team:

Join a team that plays a vital role in protecting communities and supporting fair business. Our Trading Standards Team, part of the council’s Public Health department, works at the heart of community safety- tackling illegal and unfair trading practices that harm consumers and legitimate businesses. This government-funded apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to train as a fully qualified Trading Standards professional while helping address the growing public health risks linked to illegal tobacco and vaping products. Alongside this important work, you’ll gain hands-on experience across a wide range of areas, from tackling scams and doorstep crime to product safety, underage sales, and consumer protection- building the skills for a rewarding and impactful career.

The apprenticeship will be through a combination of formal tutored sessions via MS teams and on the job training supported by Halton’s experienced Trading Standards Team.

Hours: 37 hours

This is a fixed term contract until 31/03/2029.

Your Contributions:

Key activities include:

• Carrying out inspections, investigations, and test purchases to ensure businesses comply with the law
• Providing advice and guidance to businesses and consumers, while raising awareness of scams and consumer protection issues
• Tackling illegal activity through responding to doorstep crime, underage sales, and the seizure of counterfeit or illicit goods (including tobacco and vapes)
• Preparing enforcement cases for court and supporting legal proceedings
• Working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners such as Environmental Health, Licensing, the Police, and HMRC

We do not require any previous Trading Standards experience but do require applicants to have the dedication and commitment to undertake the Level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship and we are looking for somebody who is; passionate about consumer protection and the role Trading Standards have.

Future prospects:

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.

Our Offer:

Aside from working with a great team, our employees have access to a fantastic range of benefits, including:

• A generous annual holiday allowance starting at 34 days per year (including bank holidays), increasing with long service with the option to purchase an additional four-days of unpaid leave for our Annual Christmas Closedown
• Membership of our defined benefit, salary-linked Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
• 3 x Salary Life Cover via Local Government Pension Scheme
• Investment in your personal development
• Free Car Parking at HBC sites
• Flexible working arrangements
• Extensive employee benefits platform including discounted shopping, car leasing, gym memberships, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Essential Monthly Car User Allowance

Next Steps:

At Halton Borough Council, we want all of our candidates to feel well-informed so if you would like to have an informal chat about this role, please contact trading.standards@halton.gov.uk and a follow-up call will be arranged.

Interviews will take place w/c 18 May.

At Halton Borough Council we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce and a vital part of this is to encourage diversity in all respects. We are committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and tailored to best suit the needs and strength of the individual. This includes making adjustments for people with a disability, neurodiversity or with long-term health conditions. If you require accommodations, please reach out during the recruitment process so that we can make this the best possible experience for you – resourcing@halton.gov.uk

Please refer to the attached Job Profile for further information about the role and our values.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If you’re interested, please complete your application as early as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application!