From the classroom to clean energy: Carrie’s WiME story

Women and girls across North Lincolnshire are being encouraged to explore exciting career opportunities closer to home when the Women into Manufacturing and Engineering (WiME) careers event comes to The Baths Hall on Wednesday 11 March.

The event will showcase the huge range of roles available across manufacturing, engineering, digital, construction and renewable energy and bring together employers, opportunities and role models under one roof. The public session is 3.30pm to 6pm and entry is free.

Read Carrie Grimbleby’s inspiring experience, where a career change proved to be a seminal move.

Carrie Grimbleby grew up in New Holland, went to school at Baysgarth, and always knew she wanted to do something that mattered.

Now 28, Carrie works in energy generation and storage at Associated British Ports (ABP), helping to decarbonise some of the UK’s most important industrial infrastructure. But manufacturing and industry weren’t where her career began.

After studying Natural Sciences at the University of York, Carrie took a graduate role in IT – a move that quickly showed her what she didn’t want to do.

She retrained as a science teacher and spent four years teaching chemistry in secondary schools around Norwich.

“I loved teaching,” she said. “But I realised it didn’t fully satisfy my need to make change at scale – especially when it comes to protecting the planet.”

At a crossroads in her career, Carrie made a bold decision: to retrain again, this time in renewable energy.

She returned home, moved back in with her parents in Barton, worked in the Humber Bridge toll booths to support herself, and studied for an MSc in Renewable Energy at the University of Hull.

It was during this transition that Carrie connected with Women into Manufacturing and Industry (WiME).

“WiME provided the bridge I needed,” she said. “They helped me reframe my experience, build my confidence, and understand how my skills could translate into industry.”

With WiME’s support and mentoring, Carrie secured a graduate role at ABP in 2024. After a year in operations, she has since moved into ABP’s Energy Generation and Storage team, working across the ports of Immingham and Hull.

As a woman entering a traditionally male-dominated industry, Carrie is honest about the challenges – but also clear about why it matters.

“If women don’t put themselves into these spaces, the door to important conversations stays closed,” she says. “You don’t change an industry by standing outside it.”

Her message to women and girls locally – especially those already partway through a career – is simple:

“Don’t wait to be 100 per cent sure. If you’re 51 per cent sure a change is right, that’s enough. Change is scary, but staying stuck can be worse.”

Carrie’s journey shows that it’s never too late to change direction, and that local women can play a leading role in shaping the future of manufacturing, industry and clean energy right here on the Humber.

The Women into Manufacturing & Engineering (WiME) event is coming to The Baths Hall on Wednesday 11 March, 3.30pm – 6pm. Go to the Green Port Hull website for more information and to register.