New Zealand's next generation of leaders
Bupa NZ guides a new generation of health leaders through an innovative youth leadership program
Bupa New Zealand is proud to be involved in this unique opportunity to guide the next generation of leaders in healthcare.
Students Fatumata Bah and John Yap strode in the footsteps of our People Director, Julia Wiegandt-Goude, and our Northern Operations Manager, Helen Saberton, for Auckland University of Technology’s Shadow a Leader program.
Shadow a Leader allows aspiring students from schools across Auckland to follow a business leader for a day to understand what it takes to succeed in their chosen fields endeavours.
At Bupa, this included looking at various sectors of the business with John and Fatumata gaining insights into property and environments, clinical safety and complaints, decisions around care, and seeing it all first hand at Hillsborough Care Home.
AUT Student Fatumata Bah says spending the day at Bupa very insightful.
Getting to know the Bupa culture
Our genuine organisational culture was something that particularly impressed her and she found it in every individual she spoke to.
“Although the job descriptions of the individuals we shadowed varied significantly, they all referred to the clients need, and ensuring a personalised care plan was at the centre. I also appreciated the emphasis on transparency and accountability.” she says.
The renowned reputation of Bupa is a testament to the employees of Bupa and that came across strongly during my experience. I know upon graduation I will look for an organisation that has values that are aligned with mine, and a culture that is as authentic as Bupa’s.
Rosmini College student John Yap believed the day with Bupa was a great experience that helped him learn about various aspects of healthcare.
“Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to be able to visit one of your care homes - a memorable highlight of the day - which, undoubtedly, gave me a view of how Bupa truly works to make people live happier, healthier lives! Thank you for giving me the insight as to how diverse 'healthcare' actually is and, going into the future, I will be sure to keep this in mind,” he says.
Matching people with people
The program gives some of Bupa's staff a chance to highlight their experience and explain why they chose their careers.
Our People Director Julia Wiegandt-Goude chose a career in human resources. Her role as People Director at Bupa NZ is important to her because she believes people do their best work when they are happy at work.
“It’s my goal to make this happen here at Bupa – to do what I can to provide the right processes and policies, the right culture, recognition and working environment to make sure our people to love working here,” she says.
Northern Operations Manager, Helen Saberton, shares that passion for people and wanting to be involved in the bigger picture for Bupa.
“I like to see where each site fits into Bupa’s plans. Each home is unique, we all work under the same principles, and each site has its own positive ethos and way of working,” she says.
“Working with students is always a real insight into current thinking, how people from outside the industry see us and how well Bupa is known. It gives us a chance to show case all the great work and fantastic care we give to our Rehab clients and our older residents. Each home or facility is different but it is the embracing of all these different facets that make the whole service so good.”
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