Year in Industry -Generalist

Jobtrain; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave (pro‑rata)

Hybrid working

Job summary

National Highways is offering a Generalist Year in Industry placement in Manchester, starting June 2027, with a salary of £23,620. You will gain hands-on experience across multiple business areas, including customer initiatives and governance, while supporting day-to-day operations of a large national organisation.

The programme provides mentoring, a dedicated manager, a supportive Early Careers community, and flexible hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Be finishing the second year of your undergraduate degree and start full-time from 28th June 2027.
• Be expected to achieve at least a 2:2 in any subject.
• Have Right to Work in the UK for the full duration; sponsorship not available.
• Live or relocate within one hour of the office and attend 2 days per week; hybrid working; no relocation support.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience across different business areas within National Highways.
• Support customer initiatives, campaigns, governance and performance tasks.
• Collaborate with Customer, Strategy and Communications teams to drive change and connect communities.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Second year of undergraduate degree

2:2 degree requirement

Job description

Generalist Year in Industry

Salary: £23,620

Placement start date: June 2027

Location: Manchester

Connect the country. Shape your future. Start your career journey with us.

How will you help shape the way we connect with customers and run our business?

On your Year in Industry placement with National Highways, you’ll gain hands‑on experience across different business areas and discover what it takes to keep a large national organisation running effectively.

From customer initiatives and campaigns to business planning and performance, governance, compliance and assurance, you’ll work closely with our Customer, Strategy and Communications teams, helping to drive change, connect communities and improve everyday journeys across the country.

If you’re excited by the opportunity to see how a large organisation works from the inside, this is your chance to contribute to work that matters, whilst building vital skills and experience for your career after university.

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 placements offer a mix of hands‑on experience, workshops, and real‑world learning to help boost your career prospects after university. You’ll have a dedicated manager, support from experienced mentors, and flexible working arrangements to help you thrive. You’ll also be part of our Early Careers community, connecting with peers, sharing ideas, and building your network.

As well as a competitive salary, you’ll also enjoy a fantastic employee benefits package, which includes annual leave of 26 days (pro‑rata for internships), 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 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’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop.

To be eligible for our programme, you must:

• Be finishing the second year of your undergraduate degree and ready to start the placement full time from 28th June 2027.

• Be expected to achieve at least a 2:2 in any subject.

• Be able to attend programme induction on 28th& 29th June 2027.

• Have the Right to Work in the UK for the full duration of the placement. Due to the salary level of this role, we are unable to offer sponsorship for the placement 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 placement 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.

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.