Marc: Trading Standards Officer

I was 18 when I started with trading standards as a technical assistant, which got me out of the boring full-time office environment in my previous job. I could see in trading standards a clearly defined career structure with a fascinating workload. It all went well and a few years later I was appointed a fair trading officer.

To become a fully qualified TSO, I embarked upon the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) route which required that I demonstrate and evidence what I’d learnt and experienced, so far, in my career, in trading standards. When I’d completed that I took some time off travelling before launching into the pursuit of a diploma in trading standards (DTS) qualification on my return to England. I passed and am now a trading standards officer (TSO).

I’m really enjoying my work enforcing weights and measures legislation. It was quite difficult at first because when I became DTS qualified I was faced suddenly with carrying out duties I’d only done once or twice during training or under the supervision of a senior colleague. But everybody’s been very supportive and I’ve found the challenge exciting.

I reckon that if you’re going to get anywhere in this profession you’ve got to be able to communicate with all sorts of people. People skills can’t be taught in the classroom. If you can’t relate to people – forget it!

Sure, it’s hard work when you’re training, but it’s worth it. You’ll never be a millionaire but you’ll be rich in job satisfaction and the reward that comes through helping people. The pay’s not bad and it’s fun, too!

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