Trading Standards Professional (Tobacco and Vapes)

This occupation is found in Local Authorities, government departments and small and medium service and business compliance teams in the private sector such as manufacturing and retail. The occupation is found where there is a need for the organisation to comply with consumer protection legislation and regulatory requirements and/or where the organisation has a duty or responsibility for ensuring that businesses and/or individuals comply with those standards, specifications and/or legal requirements.

The broad purpose of the occupation is to help ensure safe, fair and legal marketplaces, helping businesses succeed and protecting communities.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for developing and managing staff, legal compliance, safety compliance, quality and risk management systems, managing auditing systems and implementing outcomes. They have autonomy, making judgements and take responsibility for their own work. They plan and develop actions which lead to substantial changes regarding service delivery or developments both internally and externally.

Trading Standards professionals provide best practice, delivering high quality technical advice and knowledge for their organisation’s compliance and regulatory departments; and to other organisations which they regulate or audit to ensure compliance with the law and standards. They initiate and lead tasks and processes, taking responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of significant resources such as staff, equipment and budget for its projects and services. They support best practice and provide guidance to their organisation’s regulatory, business, consumer and trading compliance functions.

We are proud to work in close partnership with CTSI to deliver the Level 6 Trading Standards programme, creating a high-quality, professionally aligned learning experience. Through this collaboration, we have established a clear and credible pathway to accreditation for Food and Feed specialisms, enabling apprentices to build on their programme achievements and progress seamlessly towards full professional recognition.

View the Level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship Transition Information here.

Module 1 – Understanding Central & Local Government, the Wider Business Environment, Growth Duty, Primary and Home Authority.

Module 1b - Regulators Code, Risk Based Approach, Supporting Business in Compliance,  Understanding the business environment.

Module 2 - Communication, Decision Making and the Inspection Process

Module 3 – Investigatory Powers, complaints, the English Court System and Prosecution.

Module 4 – Consumer Protection (3 workshops) 2 modules - chosen areas of specialism 

Module 5 – Change Management

Module 6 – 3 workshops on Investigations and evidence gathering            

Module 7 – Leadership & Management      

Module 8 - Environment & Sustainability    

Module 9 – End Point Assessment Preparation                  

This apprenticeship is best suited to trading standards services and employers seeking a structured route to develop officers responsible for inspections, investigations, enforcement, business advice, consumer protection and public protection casework. It supports organisations needing confident professionals who can operate autonomously, apply complex legislation and deliver proportionate, evidence-based regulatory interventions.

An award-winning learning and development specialist and an Approved Apprenticeship Training Provider, CSA Learning supports firms and employers to train, improve and assess their workforces in our specialist areas including credit, debt collection, compliance, counter-fraud, trading standards and governance.

CSA provides employers with training to reskill existing staff, as well as a means of introducing new employees to your company and sector. Our tutors are all specialists in their fields, with learner feedback consistently highlighting the exceptional standard of workshop delivery.