Level 6 Trading Standards Apprenticeship (Tobacco & Vapes legislation)
Are you interested in a career in consumer protection, regulation, and enforcement?
Did you know that the government is supporting local authorities to recruit and train apprentice Trading Standards Officers to enforce new regulations on cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes, as well as the full range of trading standards duties?
Trading Standards already enforces strict rules on tobacco and vapes, and it is about to get even more serious! Last year, across the country, Trading Standards seized more than a million illegal vapes, 19 million counterfeit cigarettes, and 5,103kg of illicit hand-rolling tobacco. New rules are about to be implemented, and this role will be crucial in helping us ensure compliance in Wolverhampton.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join the City of Wolverhampton Council Trading Standards team. You will support the Government’s initiative to stop harmful tobacco and vape products from entering neighbourhood shops and prevent underage sales (The Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024-25).
As a Trading Standards Officer, you will be involved in a wide range of activities and projects aimed at ensuring a fair, safe, and legal trading environment across Wolverhampton.
Contract details
* Fixed-term contract: 30 or 41 months
* Hours: 37 hours per week
* Salary: Year 1 £24,735; Years 2 & 3 (subject to future NLW pay awards)
The shorter apprenticeship course is designed for individuals who have completed the Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship standard or have similar prior knowledge. This will be assessed during the application process and discussed with the training provider if successful.
Typical activities and duties include:
* Taking samples/test purchases of foods and consumer goods such as toys, cosmetics, and electrical items to check compliance with legal standards.
* Intervening with doorstep rogue traders.
* Conducting on-site and online inspections of manufacturers and suppliers.
* Advising businesses to promote fair trading.
* Working with partners to protect consumers and businesses from frauds and scams.
* Investigating rogue traders, preparing criminal cases, and giving evidence in court.
Your role will be varied and fulfilling. As a trainee Trading Standards Officer, you will work towards a Level 6 Apprenticeship (equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree) and achieve Chartered Trading Standards Practitioner (CTSP) status from the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. You will also complete a specialism in weights & measures, gaining enforcement competence in those areas.
You will be supported through a structured training programme by a talented and experienced team. With a clear career path, you will qualify as a Trading Standards Officer capable of working across disciplines such as fair trading, product safety, and weights & measures. This is a highly rewarding public service role where you can make a real difference.
Working for the City of Wolverhampton Council means access to modern, well-resourced offices and collaborative spaces, along with top-tier IT, software, and equipment to support your effectiveness. We also provide structured face-to-face mentoring, shadowing, and learning opportunities.
To be considered, you should have a good standard of general education, and the motivation to study towards a professional qualification. While a degree is advantageous, it is not essential; relevant experience and aptitude are also valued.
You need the ability and desire to learn, interpret complex legislation, and possess excellent communication and customer service skills. Attention to detail, organizational skills, perseverance, patience, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm in challenging circumstances are also important.
Employer information
City of Wolverhampton Council is committed to recruiting and developing apprentices. Our apprenticeships offer on-the-job training and recognized qualifications, with many apprentices progressing to full-time employment within the council.
For more information about apprenticeships, visit: Apprenticeships and Internships | Our Careers | WV Jobs | City of Wolverhampton Council
The successful candidate will undertake on-the-job training and complete the Level 6 Apprenticeship (equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree). More details are available at: Trading standards professional / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Additional resources: level6_tradingstandards_vape.pdf
Note: If you already hold relevant qualifications, please contact the People Development and Experience team via email to confirm your eligibility.
If you wish to discuss this apprenticeship or need more information, contact PDE.Team@wolverhampton.gov.uk or Paul Dosanjh, Service Manager - Trading Standards & Licensing, at Paul.Dosanjh@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Note: You must provide evidence of your qualifications as stated in your application before any offer can be made.
For full details of responsibilities and requirements, see the attached Role Profile.
Working arrangements
Roles are classified as fixed, field, or flexible work styles, with options for agile working to support work-life balance. Please refer to the Job Description for specifics on the work style associated with this role.
Learn more about working for the council, our culture, and policies here.
Diversity and inclusion
We aim to build a workforce that reflects our community, valuing diversity, inclusion, and equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer, have received the Stonewall Gold Award, and hold the RACE Code Quality Mark, demonstrating our commitment to equality and inclusion.
We offer guaranteed interviews for applicants meeting essential criteria and support for underrepresented groups, including disabled individuals, LGBT+ community members, and care leavers.
We encourage applications from all backgrounds. Learn more about our staff equality forums here.
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If you are interested in an apprenticeship or a role with a salary grade of 2-5 and want to learn more about the application process, visit Learn more here.
Attached documents
Level 6 Trading Standards Apprenticeship
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