Trading Standards Apprentice

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is offering an exciting opportunity for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join its Trading Standards Service as a Level 6 Trading Standards Apprentice. This role combines structured academic learning with practical experience, enabling you to gain a recognised professional qualification while earning a salary. We are seeking someone with a genuine interest in Trading Standards and consumer protection, who is committed to professional development and delivering high-quality public services. This is a fixed-term position anticipated to last for 29 months. This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to build a professional career while helping to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses and contribute to safer, fairer trading across the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

We are keen to support employees to balance their working life with other commitments. Therefore, wherever possible, we will consider working arrangements that suit an individual's personal circumstances whilst still meeting the needs of the Council.

As a Trading Standards Apprentice, you will:

• Assist with investigations into consumer protection, product safety and fair-trading matters.
• Gather, research and analyse information to support enforcement and compliance activities.
• Learn how to prepare reports, witness statements and evidential documents for legal proceedings.
• Support inspections, business visits and engagement with consumers, businesses and partner organisations.
• Contribute to projects aimed at protecting residents from fraud, scams and unfair trading practices.
• Attend study sessions, training events and professional development activities as part of the apprenticeship programme.

Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and as the largest employer in the area, it works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We use our statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its 4 equality objectives: Promoting equality of opportunity, Opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage, Ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels, Providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent Services to all. Respecting Diversity is a core Council value.

Requirements

To be considered for this position, you should meet the following requirements:

• Be educated to GCSE level (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics at Grade C/Grade 4 or above.
• Be willing to undertake and successfully complete the Level 6 Trading Standards Apprenticeship.
• Be aged 18 years or over.
• Have a strong interest in developing a career in Trading Standards and consumer protection.
• Demonstrate the ability to always maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Have experience of independent study and self-directed learning.
• Be able to work effectively under supervision and as part of a team.
• Possess good IT skills and confidence using technology in the workplace.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have strong organisational, planning and time-management skills.
• Be able to research information and produce clear, accurate and well-structured reports.
• Be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email and internet-based research.
• Be willing to learn new skills, follow instructions and take responsibility for your own development.
• Be flexible and adaptable in meeting the needs of the service.

Terms and Conditions

The below terms and conditions apply to this role:

• Satisfactory employment references and CIFAS identity checks;
• As a public authority, we must ensure that members of staff in public-facing roles are able to speak fluent English. This means that they must have a command of spoken English, with confidence and accuracy, sufficient for the effective performance of their role. This requirement does not refer to any particular English language qualifications, regional or international accents, dialects, speech impediments or the tone of conversations. It does not require staff to speak only in English.

Bursting with culture, energy, and opportunity, the London Borough of Waltham Forest is a fantastic and exciting place to work.

We are a highly ambitious borough. Driven by culture and the innate creativity of our residents, we have developed new and innovative ways to build our communities. Our Council is relentlessly resident-focused, insight-led, digitally driven and commercially minded; a Council focused on meeting the needs of our existing and future residents. London Borough of Waltham Forest is one of the Mayor of London's Good Work Standard employers. This accreditation is a proof of our commitment to creating a healthy, fair and inclusive workplace. This includes fair pay and conditions, workplace well-being, skills and progression and diversity and recruitment.