Martin trades in old jobs for a new career

After spending 20 years in a variety of jobs, University of Teesside graduate Martin Burns is building a new career as a Trainee Trading Standards Officer at South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council.

Martin, 41, originally from Belfast but raised in Middlesbrough, graduates today from the University of Teesside’s BSc (Hons) Forensic Investigation and Consumer Law degree. He returned to education after a 20 year break.

Martin, a married father of one, said: “I was a bit nervous when I first went to university, but everyone was really friendly and I soon settled in. In my second and third years I was sponsored by South Tyneside Trading Standards with a paid work experience placement and the offer of a training position when I completed the course, which was a great relief. We were very well prepared on the course and we had access to all the right equipment. It’s a very science-heavy course, because we have to be able to understand the reports which detail how counterfeit products are made and accurately assess weights and measures. We also have to know the consumer law inside out and be aware of the larger issues around counterfeiting, such as it being used to fund terrorism and other crimes.”

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