Environment Graduate
Salary: £30,000
Programme start date: September 2026
Location: Manchester
Connect the country. Shape your future. Start your career journey with us.
Ready to make a difference and help build a greener, more sustainable future? Join our three-year
Environment Graduate Programme and play a rewarding role in protecting and enhancing the built, natural, and historic environments around our road network.
You’ll combine your passion for the environment with hands-on experience, working on impactful projects that improve local communities and support a more sustainable Strategic Road Network. Guided by experienced professionals, you’ll get stuck into a wide range of tasks, from shaping environmental policy to advising on major schemes and engaging with stakeholders.
You’ll also explore a variety of environmental disciplines related to key areas of our work, such as:
- Environmental assessment and design
- Cultural heritage and archaeology
- Ecology
- Noise and air quality management
- Water and carbon management
- Landscape and planning
What You’ll Get In Return
If you're ready to invest in your development and excited to help shape the future of transport, we’ve got your back!
Our graduate programmes offer a mix of hands-on experience, workshops, and real-world learning. You’ll have a dedicated manager, support from experienced mentors, and flexible work arrangements to help you thrive. You’ll also be part of our Early Careers community, connecting with peers, sharing ideas, and building your network. And when the programme wraps up, we’ll support you in landing a permanent role in the business.
As well as a competitive salary and plenty of career development support, you’ll also enjoy a fantastic employee benefits package which includes a generous pension scheme, annual leave starting at 26 days (rising to 31 days with service), access to health and wellbeing schemes, discounts and cashback on shopping, going out and more!
What You’ll Need To Succeed
You’ll need to bring a positive mindset, take ownership of your work, and be ready to adapt when things shift. We’re looking for great communicators who work well with others, stay organised, and think critically to solve problems. If you're curious, passionate, and keen to learn, you'll fit right in and grow fast.
To Be Eligible For Our Graduate Programme, You Must
- Hold (or will achieve before the programme start) an undergraduate degree at 2:2 or above in environmental assessment, environmental design or other environment or sustainability-focused subject area in line with our key areas of work. (This includes, but is not limited to; cultural heritage/archaeology, ecology, noise, air quality, water management, carbon management, landscape, or planning).
- Be able attend a 4-day induction from 7th -10th September 2026
- Hold an unrestricted Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the programme. Due to the salary level of this role, we cannot offer sponsorship for the position for individuals that don't have the Right to Work in the UK.
Our Graduate Assessment Centres will run in
January and February 2026, and you’ll hear back soon after about whether you’ve secured a place.
All offers to the programme are subject to satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks, including Right to Work, reference, and DBS criminal record checks.
About Us
Our strategic road network is vital to connecting the country, carrying a third of all traffic and two-thirds of freight. Every single day, National Highways get millions of people to where they need to be as efficiently and safely as possible along more than 4,500 miles of motorways and major A roads. We bring people together, keep businesses moving and help communities to stay connected.
We’re constantly innovating to stay ahead of the curve in building and operating our roads, investing in both the right projects and the brightest talent to help shape our future. And that's where you come in!
Why You Should Join Us
At National Highways, we believe in building a connected country. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive, collaborative culture where all our people feel empowered, valued and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this.
If you share our values of
safety, passion, teamwork, ownership, and integrity, you’ll thrive as part of our team.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Ifyou're excited by growing in and shaping the future of a large, evolving organisation, apply today and start your journey with us. Don’t miss out submit your application early as we may close applications before the advertised closing date if we receive a high volume of interest.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we can only consider your application for one programme and one location. Please ensure you only apply to your preferred option, if you apply to more than one, we will take your first application as your preferred option.
