Applications are being sought for Highways England's 2017 road academy programme.The academy is a cross sector leadership development programme, which has been developed by Highways England and the roads industry.The aim is to produce future individual leaders in the roads sector, while also providing a platform to share best practice for organisation with two academy master-classes held per year.The academy also runs a two-year long development programme held at Roffey Park Institute, which has been created using input from the industry and the world of academia.Candidates successfully completing the course will be awarded a formal postgraduate certificate in leadership and management, which is worth 60 points at masters level and a Roads Academy Diploma. Both qualifications are validated by the University of Sussex.Companies in becoming members of the academy should contact Highways England at: roadsacademy@highwaysengland.co.ukThe next development programme starts in January 2017 and a director or board member of their company must nominate potential candidates. The deadline for applications is October 7 and interested candidates must first register at the Highways England jobs website.The cost of membership of the academy is £3,000 per organization, while the development programme costs £5,000 per person.