Dimitra (Demi) Magklasi
Zoe Archer
Bupa’s Technology Graduate Apprenticeship Programme is more than just an opportunity to kickstart a career in tech—it’s a platform for personal and professional growth, offering participants the chance to earn a Master’s degree while gaining invaluable hands-on experience. With a strong focus on healthcare technology and fostering leadership, the programme is shaping the next generation of tech talent.
Dimitra (Demi) Magklasi, a 2021 graduate, exemplifies the programme’s success, balancing a new career, a growing family, and an educational qualification. Her journey highlights the transformative power of the apprenticeship, both for her career and life.
What was it that first attracted you to Bupa’s Technology Graduate Apprenticeship Programme?
The programme was very appealing because it was clear that it involved impactful work. Bupa’s focus on healthcare meant that the technology solutions we were going to be trained on and develop were directly tied to improving people’s lives. That was my main motivation for applying. Additionally, the programme was structured in such a way that it provided comprehensive training and development opportunities. The fact that this apprenticeship was paid and included an MSc in Digital and Technology Solutions from Henley Business School, a well-known university, made it even more attractive. So, it was a combination of Bupa’s prestige, culture, development opportunities, and the qualification that made it the perfect programme for me.
What were your early experiences of the programme?
Bupa uses cutting-edge technologies and actively promotes automation and product improvements through technology—so initially I was amazed at the vast array of technologies we used and how significant the technology sector is within Bupa. Another key aspect I remember and that I want to mention was the strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion I found coming into Bupa. As a graduate cohort we were very diverse, with people from different cultures, universities and countries. Although we had IT related degrees our previous working experience was from a range of sectors. So, for me, from the beginning it was evident we would be a successful team.
I also want to mention that the environment was so positive and welcoming when I arrived. Everyone embraced us as new members of their work family. They all supported us with mentoring, training, and career development—so it was clear from the start that they wanted us to progress into leadership roles in the future too.
How did you get a new role during the apprenticeship?
It happened in the middle of the apprenticeship. I welcomed my baby during the programme, and I wanted to be proactive during my maternity leave. I was going to join a different team due to Bupa’s rotation system, but because I had expressed my interest in cyber security from day one, I was encouraged to apply for a cyber security role, which I got. So, I came back as a Cyber Security Analyst, balancing my new job with the apprenticeship and being a new mum.
How did you balance the demands of starting a new family and having a baby alongside your apprenticeship and your new job?
Nobody can truly prepare you for having a new baby—nothing can fully convey the reality of that experience. But returning to work after having a baby, especially while managing a new job and an apprenticeship, was so challenging. It was one of the most demanding periods of my life. To manage my study obligations and new role, I tried to be proactive before going on maternity leave. I finished as much of my work as possible, downloaded all the necessary modules, and completed my project early. I also introduced myself to my next team before I left, ensuring I was on track to finish ahead.
Bupa was very flexible, and as I was determined to finish on time and to graduate with my cohort, I came back from maternity leave after four months and calculated how I could speed up my modules to get up to speed with the other graduates. My manager, who was aware of my situation and work ethic, supported me with the flexibility I needed because she knew that I would be able to do what I said I was going to do. I was able to manage my apprenticeship modules, work-based projects, and job responsibilities thanks to this support from Bupa. This level of care is not something you find every day, and it speaks volumes about Bupa and the people who work there.
Thankfully, I also had immense support from my family—my husband, sisters, and parents all focused on my wellbeing. Their support provided me with the space and time I didn’t even realise I needed to be able to manage work and study with great success. I’ve always been career-driven, and they made sure everything was in place for me to achieve my goals.
What advice would you give to others trying to achieve this work/life balance?
My advice is to be open about your situation, because people with different perspectives and experiences can often help you figure things out in a way that’s easier and less stressful. Something else I want other women to know as well—don’t be too hard on yourself. Congratulate yourself for your achievements. Every day brings its own small or big victories, and it’s important to give yourself credit for that.
My final and biggest advice is to not give up on your dreams. No matter how big or small they are, they’re your dreams. Do what you have to do to be organised in your own way in order to keep your focus there.
You were a finalist in the Bupa and everywoman in Tech Awards. What did that recognition mean to you?
This was one of the most significant moments of my life, professionally and personally. It offered me a great boost of confidence because it was such an honour. It was a huge recognition of my hard work, especially as a young professional who was also starting a family and completing an apprenticeship.
It also motivated me to continue speaking up about apprenticeships and to show other women what they can achieve. It boosted my professional credibility and opened more opportunities to inspire and encourage women in tech to achieve their dreams. Winning an award in Bupa’s Global Cybersecurity Awards for being brave was another proud moment for me. It proved that I could be a mum and a career driven woman, who keeps evolving and achieving new goals. These recognitions have helped me become the role model I aspire to be, not just for other women, but also for my daughter.
Why is promoting apprenticeships for women in tech so important to you?
It’s crucial because apprenticeships are a great way to learn, work, and achieve your goals without the financial burden of traditional degrees—in my case I was even able to achieve a university degree with distinction through this route. For women, in particular, apprenticeships can foster gender equality, drive motivation, and empower them to reach their full potential. They also help women achieve economic independence and financial stability not having to pay for a degree to be educated nor rely on another’s salary. So, for me, promoting apprenticeships is about creating a more inclusive, diverse, and prosperous future for everyone.
What do you do to raise the profile of women in tech?
I’ve worked with Bupa to bring more women into the company, showing them the different opportunities available, not just apprenticeships. I’ve shared my story with younger women, inspiring them to see that anything is possible. But what I want to do and start doing is being a mentor for younger women. We have mentoring schemes in Bupa for girls in school or when they want to apply for apprenticeships and universities to help them with their application process and with how they want to proceed. So that’s something that I want to do. I’m always happy to say yes to opportunities where I can talk about promoting women in tech.
Looking forward, what are your new goals now?
That’s always the hardest question! Before the baby, I could easily plan my next five to ten years. Now, I have no idea what’s going to happen next week! But, as I said, I am still that career driven woman, and I want to be that good role model for women and my daughter. So, for my future career goals I want to continue training in cybersecurity, explore other fields within it, and eventually hopefully take on a leadership role. I do also want to work on bigger projects that improve the healthcare industry and people’s experiences with it—through technology. I’d like to continue being a support system for those who need it. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to a better world where everyone is happy.
Feeling like this graduate programme is something you might be interested in?
We also spoke to Zoe Archer, Operational Improvement Manager, and Technology Graduate Lead to tell us more about what makes this programme so unique:
What sets Bupa’s Technology Graduate Apprenticeship Programme apart from others?
We offer the Level 7 Digital and Technology Solutions apprenticeship, and at the end of the programme, the graduates achieve both a Level 7 apprenticeship and a master’s qualification. It’s a dual benefit. Over the last four years, we’ve worked hard to tailor the programme to meet both the needs of the graduates and our business. The programme isn’t just about filling jobs; we see these graduates not only as future leaders but innovative technologists who bring a wealth of new ideas and concepts to the field. Their views matter, and we want them to make a real difference, which is why we’ve invested heavily and designed a programme offering the opportunity to work on a variety of projects using the latest technologies.
We put them through a rigorous interview process to ensure we get the best talent. While it’s a technology programme aimed at STEM students who have a passion for technology, it’s about more than that. Bupa is a massive organisation that deeply cares for its customers. So, we want people who align with our values and can contribute to our mission. The programme is designed to reflect that, and our retention rates show it’s working well.
Can you talk about how the programme has evolved and what future applicants can expect?
Yes, we’ve been doing this for four years, and it’s continuously evolving. When we first started, we offered just two specialisms: Data Analytics and IT Strategy, which was part of Demi’s cohort. Based on feedback from graduates and managers, we realised there was a need for more specialisms. Now we offer four: Cybersecurity, Data, IT Strategy, and Software Engineering.
This expansion has allowed us to open applications to a broader group of people, and we now run the programme across three different business functions within Technology, providing graduates with opportunities to join diverse teams.
Can you elaborate on the specific support available to apprentices throughout their journey at Bupa?
Once the graduates are accepted, we invite them to several onboarding events. We facilitate face-to-face meetings in London and Manchester, where they can meet each other, previous graduates, and the team. When they join, we run a week-long induction to help them build relationships, which is crucial. Feedback from previous cohorts shows that this camaraderie helps them during challenging times, such as when they’re working on assignments.
Throughout their time with us, our graduates are supported in several ways. They are aligned to an apprenticeship manager, who has overall accountability for the programme, and in addition to this, we allocate all graduates a placement manager and buddies from both their team and the previous graduate cohort. As the lead of this programme, I work closely with the sponsor to monitor the progress of our graduates and will help when needed. Our previous graduates have created a great grad community providing valuable peer support. In addition, we provide networking opportunities, coaching and lots of Bupa benefits.
How does the programme promote diversity, especially for women in tech?
We’re very focused on building a diverse workforce, and while we look for the best talent, we’re also mindful of gender diversity, especially women in tech. We attend early careers events, speaking to young female students about joining the industry, and work with various organisations to support this. We’ve already had great success in this area with our latest cohort being 50% female, which is something we’re really proud of.
What advice would you give to potential applicants?
My main advice is to see technology as an enabler, which enables Bupa to achieve its vision. Having a curious mindset to understand who our customers are and how you’d fit into the vision is important. Consider what transferable skills you’ve gained and show us that you’re passionate and willing to learn. We’re not looking for the perfect all-rounder; we want someone eager to grow.
Some of our best candidates have been involved in mentoring, volunteering, or leadership activities during university. We want people who are already showing those leadership qualities. And most importantly, be yourself. We value authenticity, and we want everyone to bring their true selves to work.
To learn about Bupa’s Early Career opportunities, including Graduate programmes, click here.
