Trading Standards Officer L6 Apprenticeship

Salary: £27,781.74 p.a. inc. (LLW)
Apprenticeship duration: Fixed term (30 months)
Hours of work: 36 hours per week with flexibility to work outside of core hours (i.e. evenings and weekends).
Work location: Civic centre and other locations from time to time

Apprenticeship Standard: Trading Standards Apprentice Level 6
Start date: September 2026

Get ahead with a Trading Standards Officer L6 Apprenticeship at Brent Council

Brent is a tremendously vibrant London borough where the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium dominates the skyline. Spanning both inner and outer London, it is a borough of huge contrasts in terms of its economic, environmental, ethnic and social make up. Brent’s diversity is evident to all who visit our borough and our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council is pursuing a far-reaching transformation agenda that better meets the needs of our community so it is an exciting time to join us.

Brent Council is committed to the continued expansion and development of all apprenticeship programmes for our residents. Our apprenticeship schemes is just one of the ways we grow our own talent within the borough.

Brief description of the role:

Are you passionate about protecting communities and making a real difference?
Join our Trading Standards team and help keep residents safe, support legitimate businesses, and tackle illegal activity across Brent.
In this role, you will focus on the trading standards work around illicit tobacco and vapes, helping to protect consumers and tackle unsafe and illegal trading practices. Your work will support Brent’s vision for safer, stronger communities and inclusive local growth.
This is an excellent opportunity to earn while you learn, working towards a Level 6 Trading Standards Professional qualification while gaining hands-on experience in enforcement and consumer protection.
This post is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, reflecting its importance in promoting public health and safety.

Key functionalities

Working alongside experienced officers, you will:

• Support the enforcement of Trading Standards and consumer protection legislation across the borough.
• Carry out a broad range of Trading Standards activities, including inspections, investigations, and enforcement action.
• Play a key role in tackling local priorities such as illicit tobacco and vaping products, scams, rogue traders, and unsafe goods.
• Visit local businesses to assess compliance, offering clear, practical guidance to support adherence to regulations.
• Assist with test purchasing operations for age-restricted products.
• Work in partnership with organisations including the Metropolitan Police, HMRC, and London
• Trading Standards to investigate complaints, gather evidence, and support enforcement and legal proceedings.
• Engage with residents, businesses, and community groups to raise awareness, promote compliance, and help protect vulnerable individuals.
• Maintain accurate records and case files using council systems.
• Contribute to Brent’s wider priorities of preventing crime, safeguarding vulnerable residents, and improving public safety.

As you gain experience, you will be:

• Managing your own caseload of investigations
• Leading on targeted enforcement projects and operations
• Preparing reports and case files, including attending court when required

The Person

We are looking for an enthusiastic and driven individual to join our Trading Standards team as an Apprentice Officer.

About You
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the core behaviours, skills, and commitment needed to succeed in a professional apprenticeship:

Community focus: A genuine passion for improving local communities and protecting residents and consumers
Communication skills: The ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and in person, adapting your approach to different audiences
Planning and organisation: Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage your time effectively, and meet deadlines
Learning mindset: A commitment to continuous learning, with the motivation to balance academic study alongside workplace responsibilities
Teamwork and independence: The ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, while also taking responsibility for your own work and decisions
Resilience and professionalism: Confidence in handling sensitive, complex, or challenging situations with professionalism and sound judgement
Attention to detail: The ability to gather, record, and manage information accurately

Knowledge and Interest

• An interest in, or basic understanding of, consumer protection, licensing, or business regulation
• An awareness of the role of Trading Standards in protecting the public and supporting fair trading

Additional Requirements
You will also be able to demonstrate:

• Integrity and confidentiality: A clear understanding of the importance of handling information sensitively and in line with regulatory requirements
• Public service ethos: A genuine interest in local government and delivering high-quality services to residents and businesses
• Adaptability: A flexible, positive, and proactive approach to work, with a willingness to take on new challenges

Previous experience in a regulatory or enforcement environment is desirable, but not essential—we are looking for potential, commitment, and a willingness to learn.

Essential requirements and Qualifications

• Three GCSEs (or equivalent), including English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above)
• Two A-Level passes, or equivalent in any subject
• Commitment to completing the Level 6 apprenticeship
• Willingness to work flexibly, including some evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel across the borough and to training locations
• Please note a full UK driving License is desirable for this role and will be required upon completion of this training
• This is not a part of the training programme and will have to be managed outside working hours
• Please note we will prioritise Brent residents and Brent students for this programme.

**Please use the supplementary section of the application form or attach a cover letter stating why you are interested in this role, and how you meet the essential requirements as above, without this information will be unable to proceed with your application.

Details on the Apprenticeship
Below is a link to the Apprenticeship Standard that you will be working towards.
Trading Standard L6 Apprenticeship

Why join us?
We know people achieve their best when they feel valued. At Brent, you’ll benefit from:

• Up to 33 days annual leave (depending on length of service) plus bank holidays
• Excellent pension with generous employer contributions (LGPS)
• Hybrid and flexible working options available for most roles
• Supportive family-friendly policies for parent, guardians, and carers
• Health and wellbeing support, including access to eye test support and a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial support such as education sessions, childcare deposit loans, and season ticket loans
• Travel perks including affordable parking nearby, a Cycle to Work scheme, and great onsite facilities
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
• Access to My Brent Rewards with exclusive discounts on shopping, travel, leisure, and entertainment

Next steps:
Closing Date: 06 July 2026 (23:59)
Telephone interview: 09 July 2026
Face to Face interview date: 16 July 2026

Additional Information

If you are interested in applying for this job, please start by clicking the "Apply Now" button below. You must provide a supporting statement as part of your application that clearly shows how you meet the essential requirements on the Job description. We will accept a CV in support of your application, however, you should still provide a supporting statement.

Brent Council values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this and therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community. We positively encourage all applicants to self-identify their characteristics in the diversity survey section in the application.

We are committed to safer recruitment and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that posts working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are subject to an Enhanced DBS check as well as other employment clearances.
The information we collect from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas and your data protection rights, can be found here.
Brent has a positive approach to flexible working.
As a disability confident employer Brent welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including “non-visible” disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential criteria. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made to any part of the recruitment process due to your disability, please contact us on recruitment@brent.gov.uk.