The East of England Trading Standards Association (EETSA) have made available a grant of £20,000 to assist services across the region with training needs, providing opportunities for services to introduce new officers to the profession and gain valuable experience and knowledge from those already working within Trading Standards.
This grant from EESTA, along with funding from Bedford Borough Council will support a Regulatory Compliance Officer (RCO) Apprentice within the Commercial Regulation service and Trading Standards team for a period of 18 months. This will enable an apprentice to complete the level 4 RCO apprenticeship.
The role of a Trading Standards Professional is an interesting, varied and rewarding one, which plays a critical role in protecting consumers, investigating and preventing potential criminal activities and delivering actions to support legitimate businesses.
Areas of work can include the investigation of illicit and counterfeit goods, protecting consumers from unsafe products and taking action to ensure the welfare of animals as well as helping to protect residents and vulnerable groups from activities such as scams, rogue traders and doorstep crime.
Cllr Colleen Atkins, portfolio holder for Community Safety, Regulatory Services and Housing said, “Apprenticeships are a key route for people looking to develop new skills and abilities and progress their careers. I am very pleased that this EETSA grant will support us in providing this new opportunity.
“I would like to congratulate council staff on the hard work that resulted in this grant being awarded, thank EETSA for their support in making this opportunity available, and look forward to meeting the new member of the team.”
EETSA is a regional body representing the combined interests of Trading Standards Authorities in the East of England of which Bedford Borough Council is a member. EETSA support Trading Standards services across the region in a variety of ways including assisting with the coordination of work and allocation of projects and also making available and supporting projects with financial resources.
This apprenticeship role will be advertised in the new financial year on the council website. People can view all council vacancies and opportunities at www.bedford.gov.uk/jobs.
Further information on local apprenticeships can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/jobs/jobs-hub/apprenticeships.