Wendy Armstrong - Health & Safety Advisor, Henry Group
I joined the Henry Group in August 2013 as a Health & Safety Advisor. My journey into the construction industry began following a work placement in 2001 with Fisher Engineering in Ballinamallard. Following this work placement I decided to change my career path from teaching to civil engineering and transferred from my A levels to completing the BTEC Diploma in Construction. I then attended the University of Ulster, Jordanstown where I graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Civil Engineering. I also furthered my studies part-time with the completion of the NEBOSH Certificates in Occupational Health & Safety, Environmental Management and Fire Safety and Risk Management and more recently the NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety.
Since graduating in 2007, I have worked on a number of major projects in both a civil engineering and health and safety capacity throughout the UK. I am a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Ambassador promoting Civil Engineering and the STEM subjects in schools, colleges and universities. I previously held the post of Chairperson on the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Graduates and Students Committee and currently Secretary of the ICE Health and Safety Group.
On a personal note, I have found my experience in the Construction Industry to be both challenging and rewarding. The element that I enjoy the most is that every project is different and brings new experiences and challenges throughout the duration of the contract, with the reward coming on completion of each specific project. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the projects I have been involved in and the camaraderie that is developed when working as part of a site team.