Grimsby to Walpole<\/a> would help strengthen the network so people can access cleaner, more secure and more affordable electricity when they need it.<\/p>\nSkills and employment support can begin ahead of a planning decision because people need time to build confidence, gain experience and understand the roles major infrastructure projects can create. Starting now means local people will be better prepared for future roles across construction, energy and major infrastructure.<\/p>\n
That work is already under way in Grimsby. Through sessions at Grimsby Jobcentre, supported by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), candidates can meet members of the project team, hear about the types of roles that could be available and ask questions in a more informal setting.<\/p>\n
Among them are Jacob, Kyle, Jack, Adam and Maclen, who are now gaining hands-on experience in construction, energy and major infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Because the programme is being delivered with support from the Department for Work and Pensions, Employment Minister Andrew Western welcomed the partnership:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a fantastic partnership bringing jobs into local communities to help deliver the infrastructure needed to power homes and businesses for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough programmes like this in our jobcentres we’re making sure that local people are first in line for those opportunities, with the training and support to succeed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re opening doors for people across the country, ensuring they have a clear path to employment no matter where they live.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg)
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/OY6UW6LBK50UM5RIGBQR.jpg\")
The new face at Laing O\u2019Rourke<\/p>\n
For some, it is a route back into work. For others, it is a chance to try something new, gain practical experience or rebuild confidence after time outside the labour market.<\/p>\n
Maclen, who was born and raised in Grimsby, heard about the opportunity through the Jobcentre after working in a range of different jobs, including industrial panelling and care work, with gaps in between. He says the role has already given him a sense of belonging, pride and the security of steady work.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy dad often says, \u2018I built that, I worked on that project,\u2019 and I\u2019m looking forward to being able to say the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like the other new recruits, Maclen has already completed his CSCS card, a recognised construction site safety qualification, and taken part in several training sessions during his first two weeks.<\/p>\n
That partnership approach is also part of the DWP sector-based skills pilot, which Energy & Utility Skills helped shape, bringing employers closer to people looking for work and creates clearer pathways into sectors where demand is growing.<\/p>\n
For Laing O\u2019Rourke, the ambition is to build on the early progress. Further roles are being explored across site support, facilities and administration. If Grimsby to Walpole is granted planning consent, the company would be expected to support construction delivery on parts of the project. Until then, the focus is on preparing people for roles through practical support and training.<\/p>\n
The approach is now being shared with other parts of the Great Grid Upgrade programme, with similar \u2018Meet and Greet\u2019 Jobcentre sessions being considered in areas including Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.<\/p>\n
For Lincolnshire, the work is a reminder that the energy transition is not only about new infrastructure. It is also about jobs, skills and the confidence that can come when someone is given a real opportunity.<\/p>\n
Steve says: \u201cFor me, success would be seeing people who started through this route still working in construction or energy in years to come and then supporting others to take their first step too. That kind of lasting skills and career development would be a real benefit for Lincolnshire.\u201d<\/p>\n
To find out more about the Chesterfield to Willington proposals, click here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When Steve Paskins talks about construction, he talks first about people. After more than two decades with Laing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":109914,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[21249],"tags":[2580,1608],"class_list":["post-109913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national-grid","tag-national-grid","tag-native"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/117150811707829761","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=109913"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/109913\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=109913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=109913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=109913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
![\"Steve](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Y74H8IWEXMXUJJ0L5GLY.jpg\")
Steve Paskins of Laing O\u2019Rourke<\/p>\n