A Career in Trading Standards

There are various ways of entering the Trading Standards Service. You can apply to work as an Enforcement Officer or Consumer Advisor. If you obtain a BA/BSc degree in Consumer Protection from an Approved University you can apply for a post as a Trainee Trading Standards Officer. It may be possible to seek support and sponsorship whilst studying.

Successful completion of a degree with the appropriate courses entitles the graduate to progress to the latter stages of the Diploma in Trading Standards (DTS) but it is necessary to gain a post with a UK Local Authority as a graduate trainee. The course is of 18 months duration and is the statutory qualification for Trading Standards Officers. Unfortunately the Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading does not have any graduate trainee opportunities at present.

An additional route to the DTS for those employed in the Trading Standards Service is via the Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning Scheme. This course is of two year duration and can be studied by correspondence. Single papers may also be studied to fill in gaps in knowledge.

Enforcement Officers with a Diploma in Consumer Affairs (DCA) can carry out a wide range of functions, excepting Weights and Measures, where the DTS remains the statutory qualification. Functions may include safety, animal health, fair trading and consumer credit.

Consumer Advisors with a DCA give a wide range of Advice and Information to consumers and business.

The Trading Standards Institute is the Examining Body for both Diplomas. For further information on the DTS please telephone 0870 872 9016 and for the DCA telephone 0870 872 9018.

The Trading Standards Institute is the body that represents the interests of Trading Standards Officers to UK national and local government and whose membership is drawn from the ranks of Trading Standards Officers, consumer advisors and students. Membership is free to student members.

DisabledGo Information

Terms & Conditions

©2008 Isle of Man Government