Regulatory Enforcement Trainee Programme

Job summary

About OPSS

Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!

We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business Innovation Science & Trade. We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact. Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.

Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow.

Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence

Further information can be found on our website here.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (DCS) for people with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We are Inclusive

We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation if required to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Job description

The Role and Our Team

We are responsible for ensuring that businesses follow and comply with a range of regulations. Some of our teams help ensure the products that people buy are safe and some help to protect the environment.

We do this by supporting businesses and making sure they have the information they need to make themselves compliant and, where needed, taking enforcement action against non-compliance. Our work helps to protect people and places.

As a Regulatory Enforcement Trainee, you will have the opportunity to rotate around four different teams, giving you a range of experiences to draw on no matter what you focus on in the future. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic and varied role as part of a high-profile national regulator.

You will be part of our Apprenticeship Programme, studying for a Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship qualification. This is equivalent to the first year of a University Degree. Our apprentices are our future enforcement officers and leaders. Whether you are at the start of your career, or are an experienced professional looking for something new to move your career forward, we believe in supporting people to develop and grow. ​

Key Responsibilities:

• Support businesses to understand and comply with relevant regulations by providing advice and signposting to appropriate resources.
• Assist with regulatory activity by reviewing products, businesses, and information to assess compliance and identify potential risks to people and places.
• Contribute to investigations and enforcement cases, gathering and analysing information, maintaining accurate records, and supporting case progression ib line with established processes.
• Build effective working relationships with businesses, regulators, and partner organisations to support compliance and help resolve regulatory issues.
• Research, analyse, and interpret information from a variety of sources, producing clear reports and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across OPSS to share knowledge, contribute to projects, and help deliver regulatory outcomes that maximise impact.
• Learn and develop the skills you need to be an effective regulator through the Apprenticeship and the Continuing Professional Development we offer to our officers.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage:

• Career in Regulation: Demonstrates a strong interest in developing a career within regulation, with a commitment to continuous learning.
• Analytical Skills: Able to use and understand complex information, including legislation and technical details, with confidence and curiosity.
• Communication and Influence: Comfortable speaking confidently, handling challenging conversations, and building positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively within a team, openly sharing knowledge and skills to achieve shared goals.
• Time and Task Management: Manages multiple priorities efficiently, meets tight deadlines, and adapts to changing demands while maintaining attention to detail.
• Creativity and Initiative: Follows procedures carefully yet can think creatively, proposing solutions to support our objectives.
• Digital Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Office and adaptable to learning additional digital tools as required.
• Driving Licence: Holds or is actively working towards a full driving license, as some duties may require travel.
• Attendance and Travel Requirements: As this is a development programme, 60% office attendance is expected. Visits off site will also be required.
• Training: You are happy to undertake any training which will enable you to develop as an excellent regulator.
• Eligibility: You meet the eligibility requirements for the apprenticeship.

We are looking for diverse candidates including school leavers, university graduates, and people seeking a career change. Experience in an office environment is not required.

Please note that this role is open to candidates working in either our Birmingham or Teddington office. When you are required to give a preference, Twickenham will appear rather than Teddington, so please be aware that you should choose this option if you wish to be based in Teddington.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade values and promotes learning and development for all its staff. As part of this offer, all our Executive Officer (EO) roles are offered with the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship. For this role, the apprenticeship we are offering is:

The Apprenticeship

Alongside this role, you will be required to undertake the Level 4 - Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship. More details on the apprenticeship can be found here on the OPSS careers site.

To be eligible to apply for the apprenticeship, applicants must:

• be aged 16 or older
• not be in full-time education
• not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes (such as another apprenticeship or a degree for which you have a student loan).
• not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes (such as another apprenticeship or a degree for which you have a student loan).
• Have been continuously resident in the UK/EEA for 3+ years or have an eligible residency status (see Annex A page 80 of ‘The latest rules (2021 to 2022) - Employers; for information) This can be found on Gov.uk Apprenticeship funding rules: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenticeship-funding-rules#the-latest-rules-2021-to-2022https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apprenticeship-funding-rules#the-latest-rules-2021-to-2022
• You should not hold a qualification in, or have substantially studied regulatory compliance or a similar subject. If you currently hold or are working towards a similar qualification of the same level or higher, then you will not be eligible to apply for this vacancy. In order to be eligible for our apprenticeship vacancy, any qualifications previously held or currently being worked towards must differ in content so that this apprenticeship provides substantial new skills. If you already have a similar qualification, please check our careers website for alternative opportunities.

Open Evening

We plan to run a virtual open evening for those that are interested in applying for this role, to allow them to find out more about the role and what they can expect should they be successful. This will be held on the 20th October between 16:30 and 18:00. You can register for the session via the event page: Home Page - Department.Events

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,778, Department for Business and Trade contributes £9,206 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test, Civil Service Numerical Test and Civil Service Judgement Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 29/10/2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 X A4 pages.
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the essential criteria detailed in the ”Skills and Experience" section of the job description, as well as your motivation for pursuing a career in regulation.

Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement only.

The sift is likely to take place following the closing date for applications.

Candidates who pass the initial sift will be invited to attend an in-person Assessment Centre at our Birmingham office, which is likely to take place 3 weeks after the completion of the sift. Further information on what to expect on this day will be provided to candidates who are invited to attend.

Candidates who are successful at the Assessment Centre will be invited to attend an In-Person Interview at our Birmingham office, which is likely to take place two weeks after the Assessment Centre.

If the cost of travel to the Assessment Centre or Final Interview would prevent you from attending, we may be able to reimburse your travel costs. Any reimbursement must be agreed in advance with the Regulatory Capability Team before travel is booked. If you would like to request support through this scheme, please email OPSS-RCThub@businessandtrade.gov.uk at least 2 working days before your Assessment Centre or Interview.

Please note, following a recent change to the Machinery of Government, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) will be renamed to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) as of 20th July 2026. BIST will connect the UK’s world-class science and technology base directly to the businesses, places and workers that will drive good growth across the country. Such changes will not affect the selection process for this campaign; however, we wanted to take this opportunity to advise you of the recent changes to our department.

You can find further information here regarding recent governmental changes Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet - GOV.UK.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
• Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Erin Kehoe
• Email : OPSS.recruitment@businessandtrade.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints.

Attachments

DBT candidate pack July 2024 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 943kB)DBT T&Cs 2025-08-18 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB)