Trading Standards Professional Apprentice

Job Description

Job Title: Trading Standards Professional Apprentice
Salary: £24,522 per annum
Grade: A
Contract Type: Apprenticeship Contract 36 months
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

A fast‑track route into an exciting enforcement career

Do you want a career where you can genuinely make a difference?

Are you interested in tackling unfair trading, protecting consumers and keeping unsafe or illegal goods off the shelves? Ever thought about working in Trading Standards but weren’t sure how to get started?

If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Why this apprenticeship?

This is a fast‑track Level 6 (degree‑level) Trading Standards Practitioner apprenticeship, designed for people who are serious about becoming a fully qualified Trading Standards Officer as quickly as possible.

You’ll be condensing the usual three years of study into two intensive years, learning on the job while gaining a nationally recognised qualification. It’s challenging, fast‑paced and rewarding — but you won’t be doing it alone. You’ll be fully supported by an experienced, friendly Trading Standards team and a specialist training provider.

What you’ll be doing

As part of our Trading Standards team, you’ll get stuck into a wide range of real enforcement work, including:

• Supporting Trading Standards Officers with investigations and enforcement activity
• Advising businesses and consumers on Trading Standards legislation
• Gaining hands‑on experience across a broad range of consumer protection work
• Playing a key role in enforcing tobacco and vape regulations, including tackling illicit and underage sales

This role is funded through a Department of Health and Social Care investment aimed at strengthening Trading Standards enforcement — making it an especially exciting time to join, with major new legislation expected to come into force from 2027.

No two days are the same, and the work you do will have a direct, positive impact on the Thurrock community.

Where you’ll work

Your office base will be at the Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex but the role is varied and flexible. You’ll also:

• Work from home some of the time
• Be out and about on site, visiting businesses and communities

About the apprenticeship

• Level 6 Trading Standards Practitioner Apprenticeship
• Course duration: 29 months
• Contract Length: 36 months
• Two days per week “off‑the‑job” training
• Additional study in your own time is expected, particularly if you’re aiming for higher grades

This is a degree‑level programme, studied at pace, so it’s important you’re comfortable with academic study alongside a demanding job.

What we’re looking for

We’re keen to hear from people who are:

• Highly motivated and willing to learn
• Organised, methodical and confident managing their time
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
• Friendly, professional and confident communicators
• Detail‑focused and self‑motivated
• IT literate, with experience using Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel

Minimum requirements:

• A Levels (or equivalent) as a minimum
• Ideally, you’ll already have completed a degree
• GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English, or a willingness to achieve Functional Skills if not already held

DBS Check: At Basic Level is required for this post

Working hours

37 hours per week

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 7th May 2026

Closing Date (Internal & External): 25th May 2026

Interview Date: 18th June 2026

Interested?

If you’d like an informal chat about the role, contact Charlotte Edwards,, Trading Standards Team Manager, at trading.standards@thurrock.gov.uk

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Download Job Profile (PDF Document)

How to apply

Click “Apply now” and complete the online application form. (CVs alone are not accepted)

If you experience any issues applying, please email recruitment@thurrock.gov.uk

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council