Celebrating International Women’s Day at Wrekin
Wednesday 8th March is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of women across the world.
Here at Wrekin, we’re lucky enough to have lots of inspirational women who help us make a difference to people’s lives.
Libby O’Neill is a Health and Safety Partner here at Wrekin. She has spent a decade with us, having started her career as a Health and Safety Graduate Trainee.
Libby said:
“It’s my job to make sure Wrekin is up to date with any new legislation or change in regulations. I check we’re doing what we should be doing. I also put risk assessments in place, investigate any accidents or near misses in the workplace and ensure that everyone has had the relevant training to go out there and do their job.
"It’s a bit of a cliché, but no two days are the same. You can have your day planned out and then something gets thrown your way that you have to deal with. There’s always something going on and I’ve been lucky to have received lots of support from colleagues, managers and the leadership team over the years.
“There are a lot more options now for women looking to choose health and safety as a career. There are apprenticeships and some universities are offering health and safety qualifications. I’d encourage anyone – and especially young women – to consider it as a career because you will get lots of support and experience.
“I think it’s really important to get more women into these kinds of roles because we can make a big difference. Health and safety isn’t all ‘old men with clipboards’ going out to site. We can bring things to the role and do it very well.
Vicky Andrews has been part of #TeamWrekin for 8 years. Although her day-to-day role is Services Manager, Vicky is also chair of the Safeguard Ambassadors group and is responsible for bringing in new safeguarding procedures.
Vicky said “I’m really proud to be able to develop my career at Wrekin and have been given the opportunity to manage a team and take on new projects.
“When I look around I am inspired daily. There are so many women who are instrumental in making a difference to our tenants’ lives. It’s refreshing to see so many women in leadership roles that would have otherwise been dominated by men.
“From a young age my mum instilled in me that women can do anything. Now a working mum myself I’ve found Wrekin to be incredibly inclusive. Even after maternity leave and going to part time hours I have continued to be given opportunities to progress my career.”
Plastering Apprentice Trish Barnes has been working for the Group since 2018 and is currently studying at Walsall College.
Trish said: "There were some doubts when I first started out. I was a few years older than my classmates and the only female in the group, but this hasn’t held me back. Wrekin have supported me from day one. They encourage me to put myself out there as a role model to other young women who might not have thought about working in construction."
"I'm really enjoying it. I would like to stay on at Wrekin when I've got my qualifications. I've got to know everyone and want to carry on working with the team but also to learn some new skills too. I know I'll be supported if I wanted to learn a different trade."
Wrekin champions a diverse workforce so if you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives and want to join our team of 1250 colleagues take a look at our current vacancies.
8th March 2023