Login / RegisterConsidering a Career in Trading Standards?
Join the fight to make the UK a safer place for consumers, a better place for good businesses to thrive - and an increasingly hostile environment for criminals, scammers and 'con artists'. You can make a difference.
If you have great communication skills, work well under pressure, have excellent attention to detail - and can show determination and grit, when it matters - then, joining the Trading Standards Profession could be the perfect choice for you. And for your future career prospects too.
Why Trading Standards?
Wondering what modern Trading Standards is all about - and what kind of a career it offers?
It's true that many Teachers or Career Advisers still don't know enough about the work of Trading Standards, or even how rewarding a career in the sector can be. However, in common with everyone else in the UK who buys goods or services, they will all have been affected - directly or indirectly - by the work of Trading Standards (and the wider Consumer Protection industry), almost every single day of their lives.
"No Two Days are Ever the Same"
As a Trading Standards professional, you might find yourself:
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Stopping 'shady shops' from selling alcohol, cigarettes or vapes to kids
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Ensuring that vulnerable people (such as elderly or disabled people) aren't victims of scams
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Looking for unsafe or dangerous products that shouldn’t be on sale
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Checking up on local shops and businesses (sometimes undercover)
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Checking that food and drink labels are accurate and not misleading
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Checking that products are not sold under weight or short measured.
Did you know?
Trading Standards covers many more areas than you might think. We work hand in hand with the police and courts system across all of the following areas:
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Age-Restricted Sales (incl. alcohol, tobacco and vapes)
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Agriculture
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Animal Health and Welfare
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Civil Law
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Consumer Education and Advice
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Consumer and Product Safety
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Cross-Border Issues
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Doorstep Crime
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Energy, Smart Meters and Climate Change
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eCommerce (e.g. online sales)
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eCrime (i.e. cyber crime)
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Explosives
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Fair Trading
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Food and Nutrition
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Hallmarking
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Health
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Metrology (Weights & Measures)
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Motor Trade
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Petroleum
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Prices
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Property and Lettings
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Road Traffic
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Scams
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Travel and the Holiday Industry.
Many Trading Standards Officers are employed by their local councils - which means you may find yourself working within your own community to protect your own community. This will also give you the opportunity to work for different Local Authorities in the future (for example, if you ever wanted to relocate to another part of the country). Alternatively, you could use your experience to move into an increasing number of consumer protection roles within the private sector (business) or in Central Government (the Civil Service).
But what is it *really* like?!
Earlier this year, we asked some of our fellow CTSI Members in Trading Standards Scotland what they enjoyed most about working in the profession. And, together, we produced this film - to help other young people understand that an exciting and varied career awaits anyone embarking on a career in Trading Standards, wherever you are in the UK.
How can I join the Trading Standards profession to make a difference?
There are several entry routes into the Trading Standards profession. Whichever one you choose, you're guaranteed a fascinating, dynamic and ever-changing career, with different challenges every single day. Plus, you'll be doing something that provides genuine help to communities all around the UK.
One of the best routes into the profession is through an Apprenticeship, or by looking for opportunities within your own Local Authority (i.e. your local Council). Increasingly, opportunities are also opening up in business and across Central Government too (i.e. the Civil Service).
1. Apprenticeships
If you are interested in pursuing an apprenticeship in Trading Standards, check out our Apprenticeships hub. There, you'll find details of the training providers and more: CTSI Apprenticeships in Trading Standards
2. Qualifications in Trading Standards
You can find out more about qualification-based training and development opportunities here
3. Your Local Authority
If you'd like to look for an opportunity in Trading Standards within your own Local Authority, your best bet it to check for any vacancies in the jobs or careers section of their website - and keep checking!
