What a start at Westpac can do for you
It's important we get the right person for the job, but it's equally important you feel that Westpac is the right place for you.
Benefits of the Westpac graduate programme include:
gaining practical business experience with a major corporate organisation- the ability to try different roles and flexibility to explore business areas you might not have considered
- comprehensive orientation, on-the-job training and access to both internal and external training courses to support your career goals
- having a manager who acts as a mentor and ensures you get the training and development support you need
- career development support-you may be able to further your study if you wish
- a competitive income and a number of staff benefits such as preferential banking packages and superannuation scheme
- some graduate positions based in more rural areas or other metropolitan areas other than Auckland, offering some opportunity for travel
- successfully completing the programme could lead to a permanent position
Who are we?
- Westpac has been a proud part of New Zealand history and community since 1861.
- over 1.2 million customers
- around 200 branches and 500 ATMs nationwide
- around 900,000 registered users of our Online Banking service - performing 3 million transactions online (June 2009)
- over 5,500 staff
- committed to social and environmental sustainability and engaging with our local communities and businesses
- supporting New Zealand communities through regional and national sponsorship
Agribusiness Programme
Obtain an overview of banking in the rural sector, along with practical experience in key learning areas such as financial analysis, credit principles and deal structuring.
About Agribusiness
Westpac is committed to the long-term future of the agricultural sector in New Zealand. Our dedicated team of 105 rural specialists based from Whangarei to Invercargill ensures that our 3,500 customers get the best Agribusiness banking solutions.
We offer a full range of farm finance options, services and solutions to the farming industry. Our industry sponsorships and initiatives include:
- Equity partnership workshops
- New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
- Federated Farmers of New Zealand Inc.
- Mystery Creek field days
- Sheep & beef monitor farms
- Whareroa Research Centre
- Northland Farm Trust
Westpac has strong involvement with leading Agribusiness corporate and the rural service industry, attributing to over 14% market share and $4.2 billion in loans to NZ farmers.
What does the programme encompass:
- You’ll receive exposure to different agricultural disciplines and experts within these areas. In addition to your development objectives you will have an opportunity to work on a rural industry paper for the Agribusiness unit throughout the year.
- Based in provincial locations over the 12 month programme, you may be required to move office or region. (Some location assistance is provided)
What you’ll need:
A minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Applied Science or Commerce with a major in an agricultural field.
For more information and to check out our video on our Graduate Programmes click here
Recent Grads
Aidan Gent – Agribusiness Graduate
Agribusiness appealed to Aidan as it combined his passion for business and his rural upbringing into one career
What did you study?
“I completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Auckland."
Why did you choose the Agribusiness stream?
“A career in agribusiness appealed to me as it combined my rural upbringing and passion for the farming sector with the elements of business I had grown to love through my degree."
Why did you choose the Westpac Graduate Programme?
“I looked at a number of banks and Westpac stood out. Westpac had a great image in the market place and previous year’s graduates spoke really highly of the programme. The smaller intake really appealed to me – it meant that the graduate year would be a personalised one."
Involvement with senior management was eye opening – being on first name terms with the Head of Agribusiness is something not many workplaces offer grads!"
"Following these seven months another manager went on leave for two months and I was handed her portfolio to look after. It was a great experience managing customers as if they were my own."
"After this I was moved to the Timaru office to further my learning with another senior manager. This was an invaluableexperience which took my learning to another level."
How do you rate the Graduate Programme?
“I have really enjoyed my year with Westpac, a great employer with people that are friendly and want you to succeed. I have no doubt I made the right choice when deciding which career path to take."
"I also had extra opportunities that were made possible by my Westpac mentor – a senior manager who made sure we were getting everything we needed to maximise our learning."
Where to now?
“Now that my graduate year has come to an end I am waiting for a manager’s role in the Canterbury region. Westpac has been very accommodating in letting me choose where I will be placed.”
Westpac's Culture
Westpac has made a public commitment to measuring and improving our impact in far more than just financial performance.
We are heavily involved in the local community, and speak to any Westpac staff member and they will tell you how passionate they are about make a difference.
Westpac gives its people the opportunity to volunteer in their community by providing them with a paid days leave each year to get involved.
We are also national sponsors of the Westpac rescue helicopter services across the country where last year we raised over 1 million dollars through donations and fund-raising initiatives.
We are key sponsors of the Sir Peter Blake Trust which aims to help New Zealanders make a positive difference to the planet and the Halberg Trust which aims to honour sporting excellence and provide opportunities for disabled people to be active.
Westpac is an elite sponsor of Fashion Week, which includes the highly regarded Red Collection, an exclusive fashion show featuring some of New Zealand's best designers.
Here at Westpac we work hard, but there is a fantastic social culture too! There are always a number of events to get involved in from “steam ship idol” to round the bays and a number of local and team events.
Westpac is so much more than a bank – we are a team of passionate and motivated employees making the most out of life.
