Sister Ivy Appolis – Wellness Coordinator
Sister Ivy Appolis is a shining example of the many different opportunities available for women in the automotive industry. She is a Wellness Coordinator, but working in the industry wasn’t planned, she was head-hunted and jumped at the challenge.
One of the challenges she faces is communicationwith her male colleagues, as her job requires her to tackle some sensitive topics. She doesn’t see this as an obstacle, however, but rather an opportunity to learn and grow.
According to Sister Ivy the support she receives from friends and colleagues is fundamental to her success.
Sister Ivy sees Women’sDay as being about ‘girl power’, resilience and celebrating women who are pillars of their homes and society. She would advise women to get into the automotive industry to open up their world to a different challenges and new technology.
Sister Ivy’s positive attitude has no doubt played a huge role in her success and she most certainly deserves to be celebrated for it.
Q&A
What does women’s month mean to you?Girl Power, resilience, celebration of women as the pillars of homes and society, health and wellness, and the fact that women are special and multifunctional.
Which women inspire you?My late Grandmother, my tutor Mrs. Delminie during my training as a nurse, and Sharon Jessop, my intermediate supervisor when I started in the automotive industry.
What are the challenges you face in the automotive industry? Repetitive communication especially with male employees. Difficulty in releasing employees for Wellness events as production always takes priority.
How do you overcome these challenges?
Support from:
- LOH (Life Occupational Health),
- SEP medical team
- EAP Team
- Ford Partners enablement.
What are the opportunities that are available in the motor industry for women and how do you leverage them?
- Bursaries to further their careers and family members
- Paid maternity leave
- Opportunities in a male dominated employment environment
- Independence
What is the state of women development and empowerment at Ford? On-going training, learner ships opportunities, job opportunities, and direct mentorship.
What qualifications and skills do you need for your role? Degrees in Community Health Science, Nursing Administration and Nursing Education Science,Diploma in General Nursing, Midwifery, Counselling and Primary Health Care.
What drew you into the automotive industry? Working in the automotive industry was not planned, but I was head-hunted by the agency and thought it was a new challenge/opportunity for me.Since then the wellness programme integrated into various dimensions other than HIV and AIDS ensuring wholesomeness.
If you weren’t in your current job what would you be doing?
- Volunteering in the wellness/ community space
- Continue to train and develop community members
- Upgrading home-based care in the community
- Bridging the gap between health care and communities
What does success mean to you?Success for me is when you invest your time and energy into empowering individuals or groups so that they enjoy the benefits of their changed lifestyle. Uplifting their living standards and also impacting on food security.
What do you most enjoy about your job?Passion for people.
What advice would you give to a women looking to work in the automotive industry?
There is an opportunity to grow “in a man’s world” and to compete with men.
How do you balance work and life while still being optimally productive?Family support is the fundamental corner stone for your resilience and also team work.
How supportive is your family in your career, particularly your partner?Very supportive, I feel very privileged to have a partner who is a seasoned family therapist who can detect from home mydemeanour and mood – positive or negative daily.
Would you recommend the automotive industry for young women looking to enter the work environment?Most definitely – good challenges, different world, new technology.