Created in 1948 with a mandate to supply basic hospital care, Alberta Blue Cross is now the province’s largest supplementary health benefits provider serving more than 1.5 million Albertans with coverage through employer group and individual health plans as well as government-sponsored programs.
Alberta Blue Cross is licensed by the Canadian Association of Blue Cross Plans, which collectively provides supplementary benefits to more than seven million Canadians. An independent, not-for-profit organization, its head office is located in Edmonton with five branch offices across the province. Alberta Blue Cross is a three-time recipient of the Premier’s Award of Distinction for Healthy Workplaces, and is ranked among Alberta’s Top 55 Employers and Canada’s Top Employer for Young People.
Why you’ll love Alberta Blue Cross
Mark Razzolini, vice president of human resources, states Alberta Blue Cross proudly invests in young peoples’ careers. “There are many opportunities for growth and development within the company,” he says. “Where you start isn’t necessarily where you finish.” There is also a system of long-term staff mentoring new employees and Razzolini says there are 160 employees who have over 20 years of service. “New employees can tap into that expertise which is a huge advantage,” he says.
Involvement in numerous local health and wellness-based initiatives and charities is a way the organization serves the broader community. Introduced this year is an initiative called “Days of Giving” whereby staff are able to participate in charitable volunteer opportunities during the workday up to a half day per year. Razzolini notes that involvement in charitable campaign committees enables younger staff to show the potential to take on leadership roles. “It’s an opportunity for them to demonstrate leadership skills and get involved with something fun in the community,” he says. Aside from its own registered charity called Hearts of Blue which facilitates employee volunteering opportunities as well as donations to charitable organizations, Alberta Blue Cross participates in many campaigns such as United Way and the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Why Alberta Blue Cross is different
Alberta’s economy is solid and upwardly mobile. “A lot of young people are migrating to Alberta which makes it an exciting place to be,” says Razzolini. Alberta Blue Cross has a uniquely young workforce, in which 76 percent are members of Generation X or Y.
The perks
Alberta Blue Cross provides up to $4,000 per year towards each full-time employee’s educational advancement. “As long as it’s something that will help and enhance their current role or prepares them for another position within the company,” says Razzolini. There is also an emphasis on employee wellness. Each year every full-time employee receives $500 as part of a wellness spending account. The employee has the option of leaving it there or putting it towards a health spending account.
How to apply
Alberta Blue Cross has a diverse workforce with diverse training. While many new graduates with arts and business degrees find jobs here, there’s a substantial IT sector, administration and finance areas requiring talent within the organization. Business analysts and systems analysts are also in high demand.
To apply, visit the careers page of www.ab.bluecross.ca for more information.
For the full list of Canada's top employers for young people, click here.