Trading Standards Apprentice
Job introduction
Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship (Level 6)
Would you like a chance to join our dynamic and innovative Trading Standards team who work to protect consumers and support legitimate businesses across Brighton and Hove? Plus earn whilst you learn and gain a Level 6 apprenticeship qualification.
You will work with experienced officers to gain experience of carrying out a wide range of enforcement activities whilst being supported to study for the Level 6 Trading Standards Professional apprenticeship so you can develop your skills and apply your learning in the role. The role will focus on the tobacco and vapes enforcement.
There’s lots more information below and in the links but if you want to have an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Felicity Broder at felicity.broder@brighton-hove.gov.uk.
You may prefer to chat to a current or previous apprentice in which case we can arrange this by contacting Felicity Broder on the details above.
If you would like to discuss eligibility please call the Apprenticeship Team on apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Interviews: week commencing 4th Aug 2025
Provisional Start Date: September/October 2025 - to be confirmed
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for a Level 6 Trading Standards Professional apprenticeship.
Trading Standards enforce over 200 pieces of legislation and cover issues as diverse as food standards (what goes into food and how its labelled and described), scams, fair trading, the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment, product safety, the sale of age restricted products and much more.
We carry out our work by investigating complaints, visiting businesses and consumers, taking samples, seizing unsafe products (which will involve physical activity and manual handling of goods), providing advice and taking formal action, when required. We also work with a wide range of partners including HMRC, Police, other Council departments and government agencies.
This apprenticeship is run by Credit Services Association who are responsible for supporting you with your learning and carrying out assessments. Delivery will be a flexible combination of monthly, online group workshops, e-learning, structured workplace learning, tutorials, and mini projects. Your role will be linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard and once you are competent in all these areas you will take an End Pont Assessment before successfully completing. You will receive support from a nominated mentor, throughout the duration of the apprenticeship.
We are recruiting an apprentice on a fixed term contract to undertake the Level 6 Trading Standards Professional (Tobacco & Vapes legislation) (circa 30 months).
You will study the basics of trading standards work but with a focus on vapes and tobacco enforcement and either food standards, weights and measures or product safety all whilst gaining invaluable experience in the workplace in applying and putting this learning in practice. You will build and develop relationships with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders whilst promoting social inclusion and developing and implementing practices that uphold Brighton and Hove City Council’s equality and diversity policies.
As well as the job related experience and apprenticeship qualification, you will receive all the benefits and opportunities of being an employee of Brighton & Hove City Council, one of the City’s largest employers. As an Apprentice, you are eligible for an apprentice NUS discount card and can take advantage of the Catch the bus4work scheme and bus travel discounts with Brighton & Hove buses. See https://www.buses.co.uk/students
The duration of the apprenticeship will be approximately 30 months.
NB. This may be amended should you have any applicable prior learning and your contract will end on successful completion of the apprenticeship
37 hours per week - 8.30am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday - NB Some evening and weekend work may be required which will be taken back in lieu.
Our current apprentice, Ben, said this about their apprenticeship:
"The Apprenticeship was a great way to learn and develop whilst gaining relevant experience in the Trading Standards Environment. With the support of your tutors and supervisors you develop quickly and gain confidence. I would highly recommend it.”
Hear what our other apprentices have to say by watching this video
Entry Requirements
Please see the Essential Criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description for the particular requirements of this role.
Please note, your application may be shared with the training provider and if successful an informal interview and assessments will take place with them to confirm eligibility prior to an offer being confirmed
Please list your qualifications in the application as this may affect eligibility. In particular how you meet the qualifications required in the person specification.
Please read our Apply for a job at the council pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.
As part of your application, you will need to upload your Application Form and answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as it will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (Application Form guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) and (Shortlisting guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.
Additional information
We offer the opportunity for the suitable candidate to choose to work in a hybrid way. Your specific working arrangements will be subject to team and service working arrangements already in place alongside Government guidance. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.
In order to apply for an apprenticeship, you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years on the first day of the apprenticeship (or this includes EEA for UK or EEA Nationals with pre-settled or Settled Status) or have some other residency eligibility status. Please see Annex A of the latest employer funding rules: Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK for a full list of residency categories and locations
If you are resident through a visa, leave to remain or other means please confirm type and that any expiry date covers the duration of the apprenticeship once it is due to start. Those on a student visa or non-UK/non EEA nationals who have been here in the last three years for other educational purposes may not be eligible. For further information regarding apprenticeship eligibility please see Annex A of the latest employer funding rules: Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK.
Company information
Encouraging a diverse workforce
Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.
Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and How we create a fair and inclusive workplace.