Apprentice Ecologist

London Borough of Newham; Highgate; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in the UK is offering a Trading Standards Professional Level 6 Apprenticeship aimed at developing the skills for a qualified Trading Standards Officer. The role involves assisting with inspections, handling records, and conducting research. Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic and committed, having resided in the UK for the last 3 years. The apprenticeship is fully funded and includes comprehensive training and development opportunities to secure future employment in regulatory roles.

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic, keen to learn, adaptable, and committed to public service.
• Have lived in the UK for the past 3 years (funding requirement).
• Not currently hold a Trading Standards Professional Level 6 qualification (or higher).
• Not currently be undertaking another form of formal study.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inspections, projects, investigations, and complaints.
• Handle evidence, records, and information accurately and confidentially.
• Conduct research and produce reports.
• Take samples and carry out test purchases to check compliance.
• Work with partners to protect consumers and businesses.
• Support enforcement work related to illegal goods.
• Provide general administrative support.
• Participate in training and professional development.

Job description

About the Role

Our Trading Standards Professional Level 6 Apprenticeship (Trading Standards Professional / Skills England) is a 41‑month opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required of a qualified Trading Standards Officer. You will work closely with experienced officers across the full range of Trading Standards activity, gaining practical experience while completing a degree‑level apprenticeship fully funded by the council. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, keen to learn, adaptable, and committed to public service.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inspections, projects, investigations, meetings and complaints.
• Handle evidence, records and information with accuracy, confidentiality and integrity.
• Conduct research and produce reports to support investigations and intelligence‑led work.
• Take samples and carry out test purchases of consumer goods, including toys, cosmetics, vapes, tobacco, electrical items, jewellery and alcohol, to check against legal standards.
• Work with internal and external partners to protect consumers and businesses from fraud, scams and rogue trading.
• Support enforcement work related to illicit tobacco, unsafe goods and doorstep crime.
• Provide business support services and general administrative duties.
• Participate in training, mentoring, shadowing and professional development.
• Complete all apprenticeship tasks and assessments as required.
• Undergo an enhanced DBS check where appropriate.

Training and Development

Complete a Trading Standards Professional Level 6 Apprenticeship (Trading Standards Professional / Skills England), fully funded by the council.

• Participate in a structured personal and professional development programme throughout the apprenticeship.
• Gain practical experience across key Trading Standards areas including fair trading, product safety, metrology, consumer protection, enforcement, environmental protection‑linked duties and weights and measures.
• Benefit from ongoing support from your line manager and mentoring within the team.

Moving On

After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you will be qualified as a Trading Standards Professional, capable of working across the full spectrum of Trading Standards disciplines. You will be well placed to secure employment either within the Council or with another employer in the regulatory, compliance or enforcement field.

Qualifications and Conditions

• Have lived in the UK for the past 3 years (funding requirement).
• Not currently hold a Trading Standards Professional Level 6 qualification (or higher).
• Not currently be undertaking another form of formal study.
• Be committed to completing the full apprenticeship programme.
• We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

Privacy Notice

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas, who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found at https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti‑racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Apply Now

Submit your application through the council jobs portal. Ensure all required documents are uploaded and follow the instructions provided.