Graduate - Digital Services

National Highways; Bedford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Annual leave 26 days rising to 31 with

Health & wellbeing schemes

Discounts & cashback

Job summary

National Highways in Bedford offers a three-year Digital Services Graduate Programme designed to give you hands-on experience with the digital, data and technology services that keep millions travelling safely and reliably. You will explore innovations shaping the future digitisation of our roads.

Working with experienced digital professionals, you will build technical and business knowledge, rotate through different areas of digital services, and contribute to projects that keep essential

Qualifications

• Hold or be on track to achieve before Sept 2027: undergraduate degree in IT, Digital, Business or Engineering with 2:2 or above.
• Be able to attend our residential induction in Birmingham from 6th - 9th September 2027.
• Have unrestricted Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the three-year programme.
• Live, or be willing to relocate, within one hour’s travel of the Bedford office and attend the office at least 2 days per week, per hybrid policy.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration

Critical thinking

Adaptability

Learning mindset

Education

Undergraduate degree (2:2+ in IT/Digital/Business/Engineering)

Job description

Location: Bedford

Digital Services Graduate

Salary: £30,000

Programme start date: September 2027

Connect the country. Shape your future. Start your career journey with us. Ready to discover how digital technology keeps our roads moving today and helps shape how they operate tomorrow? On National Highways' three-year Digital Services Graduate Programme, you will gain hands-on experience with the digital, data and technology services that help millions of people travel safely and reliably every day, whilst exploring the innovations helping to digitise the future of our roads.

From the operational technology that keeps our roads running smoothly to critical business systems that support everything we do, you will discover how these services underpin our day-to-day operations and enable transformation across our organisation.

Working alongside experienced digital professionals, you will develop your technical and business knowledge, explore different areas of digital services and contribute to projects that keep essential systems running, improve how we work and help us continue to evolve.

By the end of the programme, you will have built the knowledge, skills and experience to continue your career with us, helping deliver the technology and services our organisation and road network rely on every day.

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 programme offers a mix of hands-on experience, workshops, and real-world learning. You will have a dedicated manager, support from experienced mentors, and flexible work arrangements to help you thrive. You will 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 help you land a permanent role in the business.

As well as a competitive salary and plenty of career development support, you will 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 will need to bring a positive mindset, take ownership of your work and be ready to adapt when things change. We're looking for people who can communicate effectively, work collaboratively and think critically to solve problems. If you're curious and keen to learn, you will be ready to grow with us.

To Be Eligible For Our Graduate Programme, You Must

• Hold or be on track to achieve before 27th August 2027: An undergraduate (e.g. BA, BSc) degree at 2:2 or above in an IT, Digital, Business or Engineering subject (including sciences).
• Be able to attend our residential induction in Birmingham from 6th - 9th September 2027.
• Have the unrestricted Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the three-year programme. Due to the salary levels of the programme and the permanent role that graduates will transition to at the end of the programme, we cannot offer sponsorship for individuals that don't have the Right to Work in the UK.
• Live, or be willing to relocate, within one hour’s travel of the office location listed on this advert and be able to attend the office at least 2 days per week, in line with our hybrid working policy. We are unable to offer relocation support, so please consider carefully how you will meet this requirement before applying.

Your Journey to Joining Us

Assessment Centres will run in January and February 2027, and we'll let you know soon after whether you've been successful.

All offers to the programme are conditional on successfully passing both our pre-employment checks and programme enrolment process before the programme starts. Pre-employment checks include Right to Work, references and criminal record/DBS checks. During programme enrolment, we'll check that your education and qualifications meet the programme entry requirements, working with our training providers and professional body partners where applicable. If we cannot verify the information you provided in your application, or you do not meet the requirements of either process, your offer may be withdrawn.

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 will thrive as part of our team.