Tobacco & Vapes Officer Apprentice | Trading Standards | Full Time | Preston

| Salary £27,269 - £31,067 Per annum | Full time | Fixed Term to 31/03/2029 | 37 hours per week | Preston |  

International Sponsorship – this role is not open to international sponsorship 

Job Introduction

Are you interested in a career in consumer protection, regulation and enforcement? 

Did you know that the government is funding the recruitment and training of 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’s 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 to ensure compliance in Lancashire 

But what else does trading standards do?

With over 200 pieces of legislation to enforce, the work of Trading Standards covers issues as diverse as food standards (what goes into food and how its labelled and described), animal health and farming standards, fair trading, the accuracy of weighing and measuring equipment, product safety and the sale of age restricted products (and much, much, more!). Trading Standards professionals protect the public through every stage of their lives, as consumers, without most people even being aware of it – from making sure you get the pint you’ve paid for to knowing the food you eat has no nasty surprises!

We carry out our work by investigating complaints, visiting farms, factories, and business, testing samples, providing advice and taking formal action, when required. We resolve many issues by working with businesses and individuals to improve compliance with legal requirements but we also investigate potential breaches of consumer protection and fair trading legislation. We collect evidence, seize offending products, take witness statements, interview offenders, compile prosecution reports, impose fines and give evidence in court.  Much of our work is done in partnership with other agencies, like the Police, HMRC, other councils and government agencies

About the Role

We are recruiting a level 6 apprentice Vape and Tobacco Officer on a 3 year fixed term contract up to 31^st March 2029 to undertake a specialist apprenticeship (max 29 months) via the well-known and respected apprenticeship provider, CSA. You’ll work in a supportive environment and be trained in all the basics of trading standards work but with a focus on vapes and tobacco enforcement

Our Apprentice Vape & Tobacco Officer role is an excellent introduction into a great profession. You’ll develop professional skills and knowledge in our incredibly broad range of regulatory and investigative work. 

To find out more about a career in Trading Standards, check out the Chartered Trading Standards Institute’s page on apprenticeships: https://www.tradingstandards.uk/practitioners/training-development/apprenticeships/ and the CSA apprenticeship brochure: Level 6 Trading Standards Professional (Tobacco & Vapes legislation) - Credit Services Association

The role itself, offers variety, new challenges and a first-class training programme that will help you establish a long-term professional career. 

While the council promotes its flexible and agile approach to employment, we know that this is a challenging traineeship with a huge amount to pack into the 3 years. For this reason, a full time work pattern is our preferred option though requests for flexible working will be considered in line with the Council’s polices. While we have an office base, you will need to be able to work at a variety of council premises, in the community, in business premises, farms and elsewhere. Sometimes the work requires us to work outside of normal office hours, outdoors and in inclement weather.  

This is an apprenticeship framework/standard - Level 6 Trading Standards Practitioner Role . Starting salary of   £27269  ( Salary Range £27269 - £31067 )  On satisfactory completion, the apprentice may have the opportunity to apply for a Trading Standards Practitioner post ( subject to availability and further qualifications , with a salary range of £35235 - £44,711( subject to any cost-of-living increases )

An advanced DBS check will be required for this role.

Closing date for applications 15  June 2025

Interviews: w/c 14 July  2025

We would like the successful candidate to be available to join us by early July which is when the course starts, although later starting dates will be available. 

Main Responsibilities 

The role will develop and teach you how to:

• Undertake inspection work, audits, investigations and other enforcement or administrative activities relevant to the Trading Standards service plan.
• Produce reports ensuring appropriate decisions have been made and that all policies, procedures and legal requirements are met including all human rights issues. Give evidence as necessary in criminal and civil proceedings.
• Work with businesses to help them comply with relevant legislation. Provide information, guidance, and advice to business on how to comply with legislation.
• Support investigations including the seizing of evidence and making contemporaneous records for evidential use and report writing. Undertake test purchasing, take samples, and assist with the examination and testing of goods and services as required.
• .Advise and inform consumers by interpreting legislation , using established procedures , technical knowledge and experience and applying best practice.
• Communicate and work with other enforcement agencies, partner agencies such as Trading Standards North West and National Trading Standards, as well as colleagues and partners  of Lancashire County Council as required
• Carry out duties confidentially and within legal guidelines 
• Alongside studying for the apprenticeship, attend relevant training courses to develop knowledge and expertise

The Ideal Candidate

• Willingness to learn and apply new knowledge and skills to everyday tasks.
• Educated to GCSE level or equivalent with Maths and English Grade C or above.
• To further progress to a qualified Weights & Measure position an aptitude for maths and physics is desirable 
• Have an aptitude for study and completing relevant  timely coursework, assignments & project reports 
• Comfortable in the use of Microsoft Office and IT equipment and willing to learn how to use specialist software and databases
• Have an understanding of Trading Standards work and legislation relating with a focus on  tobacco , cigarettes &  vapes 
• You’ll be a team player who with initial guidance and support will be able to work  independently and to prioritise workloads against targets and meet deadlines without close supervision.
• With training and guidance be able to independently deal with your own workload and caseloads producing reports and other written and verbal communications successfully.
• Under direction, you will be expected progressively to enforce and advise on a range of legislation appropriate to your training and expertise.
• You’ll be highly motivated with excellent interpersonal skills to enable you to deal professionally with the public and businesses, responding to a wide range of people and situations requiring the good use of interpersonal and negotiating skills to achieve objectives.
• Full UK Driving Licence and use of own vehicle to visit varied sites and the ability to work in evenings and early mornings and weekends as and when required
• Willing to work outside of core hours, subject to agreement ,  this is anticipated to be between 5-10 pm on a fortnightly rota as well as some occasional weekend working by arrangement.
• This role will be required to initially spend most of the working time at County Hall due to the nature of the apprenticeship learning and is not suitable to permanently work from home. 

About you

To be considered:

• You’ll need a good standard of education and the aptitude and commitment to study towards a professional qualification. See the job description. A minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent with a minimum of Maths and English grade 4/C. An aptitude for Maths and Physics would be helpful. 
• You must not currently be employed in Trading Standards, not already have or be part way through any trading standards qualifications and must not have achieved a Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship

Package Description

​ Your training course

level6_tradingstandards_vape.pdf

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability. 

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab. 

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description and Person Specification