About Wincanton
Wincanton is a leading, trusted supply chain partner to many of the UK's most recognisable brands. This means that they provide storage, transportation, delivery, planning and supply chain technology.
Warehousing and logistics is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK. Wincanton operate 17.4 million square feet of warehouse space and employ more than 19,000 people. They have been around for almost 100 years!
Following work expereince placements as part of a Mencap Training Academy supported internship, paid
employment
Employment means having a job.
opportunities may be available with Wincanton. You will then receive the benefits of becoming a Wincanton colleague.
Working in a warehouse may be suited to young people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
and/or
autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
as the roles can offer structure, routine, and clear direction while following a process.
What can I do on a work experience placement with Wincanton?
On a Wincanton placement you can:
- Join the team in a warehouse as a warehouse operative. You will learn about how warehouses are run day to day and may learn how to safely drive a low-level order pickup (LLOP) vehicle to help move items around the warehouse.
- Join the team in an administrative role in an office within a warehouse. This might be helping transport office colleagues with drivers and their delivery routes.
What Skills will I need?
To be part of a work experience study programme or supported internship programme at Wincanton you will need to
- Be willing to learn how important it is to be safe in a warehouse environment, for yourself and others
- Wear uniform and personal protective equipment (PPE), like safety footwear
- Have good time management skills
- Learn how to work with equipment that helps you complete tasks in your role. This might be manual handling equipment or a computer.
- Work both as an individual and as part of a team
- Always have in mind the
customer
A customer is a person who buys something or uses a service.
you are working for on behalf of Wincanton, to provide a good service - Be
involved
Involved is being included in something or taking part in something.
with ongoing communication with people to successfully complete tasks you are contributing towards. This will be talking, listening, or via a digital platform. - Understand that the warehouse environment can have many people and sounds. You wellbeing will be supported where needed
- Follow the Wincanton
values
Values are the things that are important to you. Mencap's values are being passionate, inclusive, brave, positive, and kind.
: We are Thoughtful; We are Aiming High, and We are Prepared
When do Wincanton work experience placements take place?
For supported internship learners:
Work experience placements will run between September and July, with learners expected to complete at least 420 hours.
Learners may be in placement any day between Monday and Friday each week.
For pre-internship learners:
Work experience placements will usually run between March and July, with learners expected to complete at least 42 hours.
Joel's story
Joel thought he wanted to work with cars when he started his supported internship. But when the team at Wincanton introduced him to manual handling vehicle training, he realised he loved driving the vehicles in the warehouse. Joel went on to also pass his low level order pick up vehicle training and eventually secured a paid job with Wincanton as a warehouse operative, working 20 hours a week.
"My confidence has grown from head to toe!"
See what former Mencap Training Academy learner, Ben, had to say about his placement with Wincanton. Ben secured a paid job as a warehouse operative with Wincanton in 2024.
Where can learners do work experience with Wincanton?
Learners on our supported internship in Staffordshire can do work experience placements in warehouse operative, administration and catering roles.
Our Staffordshire supported internship
We also work with Wincanton through our supported internship in west London, offering warehouse operative placements.
Our west London supported internship
If you would like to access one of these
supported internships
A work placement for young people with additional needs, where they get support from a job coach.
and are interested in doing work experience with Wincanton, then please fill out our online expression of interest form and tick the box next to Wincanton when asked which employers you would like to work with.