Awareness and First Aid
International Women's Day is an opportunity to applaud the valuable contributions and resilience of women in ER24.
Introducing Petro Jonker, ER24’s Learning and Development Facilitator, Central Region:
Our all-woman Learning and Development team works as a cohesive unit thanks to seamless communication and mutual support in project tasks. We’re also all committed to fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment. I joined ER24 in 2001 as a Basic Ambulance Assistant, and in 2012, I had the opportunity to join ER24 Training Academy as Training Coordinator for the Central Region. Six years later, we integrated into Mediclinic Southern Africa, and I became the Learning and Development Facilitator for ER24 Central Region.
In my daily work, I oversee the planning, implementation, and assessment of learning and development initiatives. These form part of ER24’s strategy to empower staff so they can pursue rewarding career opportunities and reach their full potential.
Every training opportunity has its highlights, as you continuously build the knowledge base of other ER24 practitioners. It’s gratifying to see their skills reach new levels of professionalism and efficiency.
I’m thankful that when I was in Grade 6, my mother enrolled my sister and me in a first aid course at St John's Ambulance. We volunteered to work as first aiders every weekend and holiday, took part in competitions, and in my final year at school, I was recruited as a St John’s first aid instructor. I guess I’ve always had a passion for teaching and emergency medicine – and my current role encompasses both these elements.
A typical day includes fulfilling the Central Region’s Learning and Development Skills Plan, communicating with all the branch managers and staff, driving a culture of continuing professional development (CPD), and maintaining records to track and provide evidence of training. It’s a lot of paperwork, but for an important cause.