New pathways for First Nations employment
As part of its commitment to the ongoing engagement and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, Bupa has implemented a dedicated First Nations Employment Strategy to help to improve the representation and cultural safety for First Nation Australians.
Developed in 2021, The First Nations Strategy has included the creation of The First Nations Employee Network; the implementation of cultural leave; cultural awareness training and Career Trackers Internships which links Indigenous university students with employers in paid, multi-year internships.
Roger Sharp, Bupa APAC Chief Sustainability & Corporate Affairs Officer said these steps represent small but significant steps along a long journey towards equality in First Nations employment opportunities.
“Despite these efforts and significant government focus, the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in education, employment, and health equity is not closing.
“Addressing these issues are complex and challenging without the dedicated support from people with lived experience, that’s why we have also engaged with Indigenous consulting experts 15 Times Better to help address the many opportunities ahead of us,” Roger said.
To help drive and inform the strategy with 15 Times Better, Bupa has also announced the appointment of two internal Indigenous employees into critical roles in leading this strategy. Stacey Beckers and Olivia Bonanno with be joining Bupa’s Diversity and Inclusion team as Senior First Nations Advisor and First Nations Advisor respectively.
Olivia is a Wergaia/Wemba Wemba woman who has previously interned at Bupa through the CareerTrackers Indigenous Internship Program, and was the recipient of the 2021 Dr Evelyn Scott Scholarship. Stacey is a proud Kamilaroi woman who has been with Bupa for over 7 years. She has been a fierce advocate for Indigenous inclusion, including playing an integral role in Bupa’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group and is the current Lead of Bupa Australia’s First Nations Employee Network.
We are thrilled to have Stacey and Olivia’s passion, expertise and talent helping to drive this important agenda forward.
Stacey Beckers, Bupa Senior First Nations Advisor said she was looking forward to working with Bupa’s people across Australia as part of her new role.
“It’s a privilege to be able to represent First Nations people and shape the way Bupa addresses employment and healthcare initiatives.
“Reconciliation and equality are issues that are close to my heart and I am proud to be part of an organisation that is committed to making change and moving forward with purpose,” Stacey said.
For more information on Bupa’s Reconciliation Action plan visit here.
