Trading Standards Apprentice

Full time 37 Hours per week – Fixed term for 41 months (3.5 years)

Do you want to protect consumers, support businesses, and make a real difference in your community – all while earning a salary and gaining a degree‑level qualification? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and committed individual to join us as a Trading Standards Apprentice. This is a fantastic opportunity to work towards a nationally recognised Level 6 Trading Standards Professional Apprenticeship.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About the Role:
As part of our Public Protection Service, you’ll work alongside experienced Trading Standards Officers, helping to protect the public, ensure fair trading, and support local businesses.

You’ll gain hands-on experience across a range of activities, including:

• Supporting investigations and complaints into trading practices and compliance with legislation.
• Carrying out test purchases, sampling and inspections.
• Assisting with advice to businesses and residents.
• Helping to prepare evidence and reports for enforcement action.
• Delivering educational and awareness activities.

You’ll follow a structured training plan, combining practical work with formal study, leading to your professional qualification.

You’ll need at least 5 GCSEs (grade C/4 or above, including English and Maths) and two A Levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications). A full UK driving licence is a requirement as the role may involve travel.

We offer excellent support, training, and induction. You will have access to our Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth with opportunities to learn and develop new skills.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.

As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

If you would like any more information, please contact Ian Savill - Principal Trading Standards Officer at ian.savill@reading.gov.ukor call 0780 3760 627

Closing Date: Wednesday 20th August 2025
Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.