Nick: Senior Trading Standards Officer

I know it sounds a bit Hollywood, but I work in what’s called the ‘rogue trader team’, handling complex investigations and tackling serial offenders who do great harm to consumers. It’s a varied and interesting job as I also give business advice to companies and provide legal expertise to colleagues.

I get a big kick out of helping consumers and business solve their trading problems. I also enjoy the evidence-gathering process: the detective work behind a case. This, and the excellent variety, are particular reasons why I like the job – though being able to work flexi-time is a bonus, which affords a healthy work-life balance!

I find that having a degree in history – the study of people and society – is a good grounding for a trading standards’ career. Even though it was not a consumer protection qualification, I was able to gain a diploma in trading standards (DTS) through a block release three-year traineeship quite easily.

As a senior trading standards officer now, I’m thinking ahead to my next move, which might be to a management role in local authority trading standards though there are also many options in private industry. A product law adviser for a major company is one possibility – or even a job in law itself.

I would say to people doing ‘A’ levels and thinking of a trading standards career: Try and pick subjects that cover different sides of the brain. Combine maths/science with an arts subject so that you can prepare for the mix of physics and law that the DTS offers.

To be successful in trading standards, you’ve got have patience, persistence, problem solving skills and some common sense. And perhaps a dose of cynicism too!

Back to real deal

Today

08:30: Arrive work. Check messages, e-mails. Focus on Home Authority enquiries – ring and give law advice to some large companies.

09:30: Logged good news from a major loans company –case I referred to them week ago - consumer received refund of amount wrongly charged for.

11:00: Looked through signed witness statement from consumer who had bought a new phone that was actually second-hand. Can proceed against trader! Made arrangements.

11:45: Rang police to confirm day’s big event.

12:30: Lunch

13:45: Briefing at police station – plan joint operation to stop and search the vehicles of traders who carry out home improvements and repairs:
doorstep traders - significant national crime problem

14:00: Out in police car with officers, stopped many vehicles, identity checks on traders. Explained legal cancellation rights and gave information
leaflets to traders.

16:00: Found advertising boards from trader previously advised re his legal obligations - still making false claims about his approval by trade
associations. Took photos and one of the signs with view to prosecution.

16:45: Debrief back at office - recorded information for analysis.