Careers at National Highways
National Highways, known as Highways England until August 2021, is the government body that runs England's motorways and major A-roads. It describes the network as more than 4,500 miles, and its work covers planning, building, operating and maintaining those roads.
As a result, there is a wide range of jobs for people interested in keeping drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe and keeping the country's main roads running smoothly.
Types of Jobs At National Highways
Whether it's the design of the roads themselves or looking after the finances at head office, there is a wide and varied selection of careers available at National Highways.
Its roles range from accountants to traffic officers, and from engineers to project managers, so it's worth keeping an eye on the National Highways careers page as new opportunities are added regularly.
How To Get Hired At National Highways
National Highways runs six three-year graduate programmes: Engineering, Construction and the Built Environment; Digital and Data; Finance; Project Management; Generalist; and Legal. It also offers apprenticeships, placement years and summer internships.
Entry requirements vary by programme and are set out when roles are advertised. The graduate programmes are for people with a degree, and National Highways says it welcomes applicants whatever their background.
National Highways Application Process
National Highways Online Application
The process depends on the route. For most roles you apply on the National Highways website and include a CV showing how you suit the role, and managers are encouraged to aim to shortlist within five days of the advert closing. Graduate, apprentice and other early careers applicants complete an online application form explaining their interest in the programme, followed by a short online assessment.
National Highways Aptitude Tests
National Highways Online Assessment
National Highways describes the early careers online assessment only as a short exercise to understand how you think, work and respond to different situations, with no right or wrong answers. It does not name the test type, its length or its publisher, so treat situational judgement test practice as general preparation.
National Highways Telephone Or Teams Interview
If you are shortlisted for an early careers programme, the next stage is a telephone or Teams interview with a recruiter. For other roles National Highways lists the interview format as competency-based, a presentation or an assessment centre, depending on the role.
The interview is also a chance for you to ask any questions you have and to show why you suit the role.
National Highways Virtual Assessment Day
For early careers programmes the final stage is a virtual assessment day with hiring managers and the early careers team.
Assessment days are a chance for staff to assess the remaining candidates in more depth before deciding who to hire. Where there are discussions, try to share your thoughts and ideas so they hear from you, while showing that you listen respectfully and do not take over every conversation.
Try to make sure you have a strong internet connection and can set yourself up in a quiet room, free from distractions, for the assessment day. This gives you one less thing to worry about and should help you concentrate on the tasks.
Tips To Get Hired At National Highways
Practice Tests
Practising situational judgement tests before the National Highways online assessment can help, as the employer says the assessment looks at how you respond to different situations.
It will help you get used to the kinds of questions you may be asked, and give you a chance to reflect on the values National Highways publishes: safety, passion, integrity, ownership and teamwork.
Use Exam Conditions
Whether you are practising tests, being interviewed or taking part in the assessment day, it's helpful to set up an area in 'exam conditions'. This means somewhere quiet, where you can time yourself if you're practising a test, and where you'll be uninterrupted during an interview or the assessment day.
Know The Highway Code
Familiarising yourself with the Highway Code will give you a better understanding of the work National Highways does to make roads safer.
Build Confidence
The best way to build confidence is to prepare thoroughly for each stage of the process.
Practising aptitude tests, reading the Highway Code, learning more about National Highways, brushing up on your interview technique and setting up your computer in a quiet, well-lit room will all help you go into each stage well prepared.
