Graduate (Highways)

Salary details: £ - £

Start your career with Derbyshire Highways

We are looking to recruit motivated and enthusiastic graduate to join our Highways Graduate Development Programme, starting in September 2026.

This programme provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience across a range of highways functions while developing the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to build a long-term career in the sector. 

You’ll work alongside experienced professionals supporting the delivery of projects and services that keep Derbyshire’s communities connected, safe and thriving.

Why Join Derbyshire Highways?

Our Highways Service operates within a complex and high-profile environment, delivering:

• Significant capital investment and infrastructure programmes
• Essential maintenance and improvement works across the highway network
• Services that directly impact communities, economic growth and sustainability
• Increasingly sophisticated commissioning and delivery models

This graduate programme forms part of our commitment to developing future professional capability, ensuring we build a skilled, sustainable workforce aligned to long-term service demand.

What you'll be doing

As part of the programme, you will gain experience across a range of highways functions, which may include:

• Supporting the design, planning and delivery of highway schemes
• Contributing to project management and programme delivery activities
• Assisting with asset management, inspections and data analysis
• Supporting commercial, financial and procurement processes
• Engaging with stakeholders, partners and contractors
• Contributing to service improvement and innovation initiatives

You will gain exposure to both office-based and site-based environments, developing a well-rounded understanding of how highways services are delivered.

You will be expected to be on-site or in the office up to 5 days per week.

Your learning & Development

This is a structured 2-year development programme designed to support your progression into a professional role within Highways.

You will benefit from:

• Rotational placements or varied experience across key service areas
• Support from experienced managers and mentors
• Opportunities to build technical, analytical and professional skills
• Structured development aligned to career pathways within Highways
• Exposure to real-world projects and decision-making

You will be expected to take an active role in your development, applying learning in practice and demonstrating progression throughout the programme.

About you

We are looking for graduates who are keen to make a difference and develop a career in public sector infrastructure.

Essential requirements:

• A degree (or expected to achieve) in a relevant subject such as:
  Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, Construction, Architecture, or other related disciplines
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Willingness to learn and develop in a professional environment
• Full UK driving licence (due to site-based working requirements)

Desirable:

• Interest in highways, infrastructure or the built environment
• Understanding of engineering, construction or asset management principles
• Experience of working in a structured or project-based environment

What we offer you

This role is based at County Hall, Matlock, with regular travel to sites across Derbyshire.

Depending on placement, you may be required to work on-site or in an office environment, with flexibility aligned to service needs.

What we offer you

• A structured graduate development programme
• Hands-on experience across a range of highways functions
• Support from experienced professionals and mentors
• Opportunities to progress into permanent roles within the service
• A chance to contribute to projects that make a real difference to local communities

Working for Derbyshire County Council

At Derbyshire County Council, we are committed to:

• Equality, fairness and opportunity
• Supporting your wellbeing and development
• Delivering services that provide value for money for our communities
• Reducing our environmental impact and supporting climate resilience

Apply Now!

If you’re looking to start your career in Highways and want to play a role in shaping the future of Derbyshire’s infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you.

Provisional Interview Date: Week commencing 9th August 2026

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.