Hill Labs Peer Learning Program (PLP) – A First for Hill Labs
Last year, our Learning and Development team piloted an internally run Peer Learning Program - also known as the PLP - within our Hamilton Operations. This initiative was a first for Hill Labs and aimed at supporting succession planning and building a strong talent pipeline for our future Team Leaders. The program was designed to develop leadership, communication, and relationship‑building skills, giving participants the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences as well as from other leaders in a supportive environment.
The pilot cohort included eight team members who each had a focused development plan toward becoming a Team Leader. The program commenced in August 2025 and included eight sessions held every two to three weeks. The final session saw each participant present to our Executive Leadership Team and senior managers - an opportunity to showcase their capability and potential as future leaders.
To say that this program was a success is an understatement. Here is what two of the group - both of whom were appointed into Team Leader roles during the program - had to say about their experience in the PLP:
Emma van der Hoek, Residues Preparation Team Leader, shared that what she enjoyed most about the programme was the opportunity to build strong connections with current and future leaders from across the business. While she found the final presentation to be the most challenging part of the program, she also found it the most rewarding. Emma was pleasantly surprised by how people‑focused the program was, noting the confidence she gained as a natural outcome of the learning journey and the emphasis placed on drawing on the support of those around her. Her advice for future PLP participants is simple: “If you think it, speak it! The PLP is a safe space to voice your ideas, and valuable learnings will always come from the discussion that it prompts.”
Sophie Overdevest, Team Leader - Food Microbiology, said what she enjoyed most was the opportunity to come together with others from across the company, getting to know them and learning from their experiences. She noted that the most challenging part at first was speaking up and sharing her ideas within the group. However, as the program progressed, she became increasingly comfortable, realising that “we are here to help each other and want to see each other succeed, so there is no reason to be scared.” Sophie found the emphasis on people skills and confidence-building particularly impactful, acknowledging the confidence she gained through the programme. Her advice for future participants: “Don’t stress about it - no one in the group is wanting you to fail.” She encourages others to ask questions (“most likely someone else has the same one!”) and to get involved in all discussions, as this is where much of the learning happens.
Where to from here?
Following the success of this pilot program, we are pleased to confirm that we are about to launch the Peer Learning Programme at our Christchurch lab, as well as a second programme in Hamilton. As Simon Sinek says, “Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.” At Hill Labs, we are committed to being a great place to work - and that includes growing great leaders.
