Thank you for applying for a job with the Highways Agency. Like all government bodies, the HA recruits people through a defined process. Everybody who applies for and completes one of our applications will undergo the same types of screening and assessment. This way we can be sure that the recruitment process is fair, objective and open to all candidates.

In order for us to make a fair and balanced assessment of your skills, we require you to complete an application form, an achievement record, where you have an opportunity to show us your experience of using key skills; and, a diversity questionnaire. The first two documents are compulsory and allow us to assess your skills and experience with everyone else who also applied.

The diversity questionnaire is not compulsory, but this information allows us to monitor where our candidates are coming from in the community, and to learn if we are meeting our policy targets. This information you supply here is not used to assess you - only the information you supply in the application form and achievement record will be used to assess you.

When you return your completed application, we will acknowledge receipt of it within 2 working days. If you have applied by the website, you will receive an email confirming receipt. If you return your application by post, we will confirm receipt by mail. If you return your application by email, you will receive an email from us to confirm receipt. After sending you acknowledgement correspondence, we will then assess your application form and achievement record.

The screening stage consists of two parts:

1. Minimum criteria pre-screen - we will match your written details against the role's essential criteria
2. Competency screen - we will assess your responses to each of the five competencies to successfully carry out the role

We will contact you after we have screened your application to advise you as to how we wish to proceed with it.

If you pass the screening stage, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. We will contact you at least five days before the event to ensure that you have time to make appropriate arrangements.

At the centre you will participate in a combination of both interactive and individual exercises, plus a competency-based interview. We will contact you after your assessment centre results have been scored to advise you of the outcome.


If you are successful at the assessment centre, you will be offered a role with the Highways Agency, pending satisfactory responses to security checks, criminal records checks and medical assessment. If the verification process produces a satisfactory result, you will be placed on a waiting list, which will be consulted when the next available opportunity arises.

You will find a flowchart of what you (or rather your application) will go through when you submit your completed details over the page.

If you consider that you may have a disability and are eligible under the GIS scheme, you will automatically be put forward to the second stage, provided that you satisfy the minimum criteria described under the eligibility and score the minimum acceptable in each of the competencies on the achievement record.

If you have any queries about the recruitment process after reading this please call our enquiry line on 0800 917 4441.