Supporting Future Talent Through the NHS Supported Internship Programme
Starting in March 2026, Shorts Group had the pleasure of partnering with NHS England to offer a 12-week work experience placement at our Aldershot Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) as part of the Supported Internship programme with Choices College.
The Supported Internship programme provides young adults with learning disabilities or autism the opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience, develop transferable skills, and build confidence, communication and independence as they prepare for future employment.
A Hands-On Learning Experience
James joined the Aldershot MRF team for a 12-week placement, supported throughout the programme by a dedicated mentor – James Campos (Aldershot MRF Manager). Working alongside the Aldershot team, James was welcomed into the workplace with kindness, respect and encouragement. Throughout the placement, he gained practical experience across a variety of day-to-day site operations.
His responsibilities included working on the picking line, sorting recyclable materials such as wood, cardboard, metal and plastic into the correct bays for further processing and recovery. In addition, James supported a range of other yard activities, including cutting wire, sorting metals to maximise material recovery, and jet washing the weighbridge to help keep the site operating safely and efficiently.
Developing Skills and Confidence
Over the course of the placement, James made outstanding progress. He embraced every task with enthusiasm and demonstrated significant improvements in his confidence, independence, communication, punctuality and ability to take initiative.
The experience not only allowed James to develop practical workplace skills but also gave him the opportunity to become a valued member of the Aldershot team, working alongside colleagues in a supportive and inclusive environment.
A Rewarding Experience for Everyone
Reflecting on the placement, James Campos (Aldershot MRF Manager) shared:
"This has been particularly rewarding for me due to my own personal experience with autism and the challenges I faced when first entering the working world. It is important that neurodivergent individuals are supported with empathy and understanding so they are able to offer society their unique abilities of creativity, strong memory and problem-solving skills - traits that businesses can really benefit from.
Here at Shorts Group, we value acceptance, inclusion and the development of supportive environments that recognise the strengths of every individual while accommodating the challenges they may face."
The success of the placement reflects the positive impact that supportive employment opportunities can have, not only for interns but also for the businesses that welcome them. Creating inclusive workplaces helps individuals develop valuable skills while enabling organisations to benefit from diverse perspectives and talents.
Congratulations James
Everyone at Shorts Group would like to congratulate James on successfully completing his placement and thank him for his hard work, dedication and positive attitude throughout the programme.
A huge thank you to the entire Aldershot MRF team for making James feel welcomed, safe and supported throughout his time on site, as well as NHS England and Choices College for making this valuable partnership possible.
Shorts Group wishes James every success in his future career and looks forward to continuing to support opportunities that help young people develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive in the workplace.
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