Trading Standards jobs

[The Seeker]

Hi All.

I need some sage employment advice and I hope someone on here can help.

I'm a graduate (2.1 in history and politics), have some journalism qualifications and experience in working as a writer and in a press office, but have been in a dead-end job for nearly five years. The pay and conditions are quite good though and there's a chance that I might be getting made redundant soon. Hopefully there'll be a pay-out, so I can retrain.

I've always been interested in consumer affairs and would like to get a job working in trading standards. I am 36, and with my domestic situation, would want a job close to where I live.

I know that there's a diploma that you can take to qualify for this type of work but I've been looking unsuccessfully for trainee trading standards officers jobs which train on the job. I've e-mailed my local council but they were a bit vague about how often these appointments come up.

Is there any type of voluntary work which I could do to make my application more relevant? Does anyone have any other suggestions into how to break into this type of work. I've got no experience, but lots of enthusiasm!!

Many thanks

[Buenchico]

This might help:
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/j obprofiles/profiles/profile209/
(Check the link to the Trading Standards Institute. There seems to be some interesting stuff there).

Chris

[rebby]

I had an interview with TS the other year, I didn't get the job but they gave me some useful info. You can get into TS as an Enforcement Officer or a Consumer Adviser without a diploma. I have an Civil Service background in enforcement, compliance, and education which was ideal for this type of work. I was told to write to local councils for vacancies but like you they were very un helpful - apparently jobs don't come up very often, but the best thing to do it to keep an eye on your local council's website for vacancies, or visit: www.tsi.org.uk.