Government Energy Research Body

Delivering a Compliant Workforce for a Data Centre Project in the Netherlands

A UK-based temporary electrical specialist supporting hyperscale infrastructure projects across Europe secured a very high profile data centre development project in Groningen, Netherlands. Data centre projects of this scale depend on skilled electrical contractors who can mobilise quickly while meeting strict compliance requirements. Something that increasingly requires specialist tech workforce solutions. However, when new labour legislation came into force in the Netherlands in January 2025, many labour supply models used across European construction stopped working overnight. For a tier 1 contractor delivering electrical works on a hyperscale data centre development project in Groningen, this created an immediate challenge: maintaining a reliable supply of skilled electrical contractors while remaining fully compliant with Dutch employment law. Workforce challenges on the data centre project The legislative changes meant that many labour supply arrangements commonly used across European construction were no longer compliant under Dutch law. Workers on site were now required to be paid through Dutch PAYE employment structures, leaving several previously viable labour models no longer workable. Reduced labour supply With fewer suppliers able to operate under the new legislation, the available pool of electricians capable of supporting the project was significantly reduced. This created immediate pressure on the contractor’s ability to maintain workforce continuity on site. Demand spikes for experienced data centre electricians Data centre construction environments require electricians who are familiar with complex electrical infrastructure and strict installation standards. Workers without this experience often require additional onboarding and supervision, which would have slowed project timelines. The Tier 1 contractor required electricians who could seamlessly integrate into an active site environment, and do so quickly. Location complicating workforce mobilisation Groningen is a major university city where short-term accommodation is limited. Not being able to secure suitable housing for incoming workers would have meant electricians couldn’t mobilise as quickly or remain close to the site. Building a compliant workforce solution To maintain workforce continuity and remain compliant with Dutch legislation, the project team required a different labour delivery approach. It combined compliant employment structures with targeted technical recruitment and workforce mobilisation support. Establishing a compliant PAYE structure A Netherlands-based payroll partner and Employer of Record (EoR) structure was introduced, allowing workers to be employed under Dutch PAYE legislation while supporting the contractor’s operational and commercial requirements. This ensured all electricians deployed to the project were engaged through fully compliant employment arrangements. Targeted recruitment of experienced electrical contractors Recruitment focused specifically on electricians and electrical mates with experience working on large-scale electrical infrastructure projects, including data centres and mission-critical environments. This approach ensured workers arriving on site were already familiar with the installation standards and safety procedures, as well as the pace of work typical of hyperscale data centre construction. Supporting workforce mobilisation Accommodation was secured locally to ensure incoming workers could mobilise quickly and remain within close proximity to the site. This removed a key logistical barrier and allowed electricians to deploy without delays linked to housing availability in Groningen. Maintaining workforce continuity on site To support long-term project delivery, a rotating workforce structure was introduced. This allowed electricians to move on and off rotation while maintaining a consistent workforce presence on the project. Labour supply therefore remained stable throughout the build schedule. Workforce delivery outcomes Skilled electricians deployed to the project from July 2025 A rotating workforce of 4–6 electricians consistently supporting the site Full compliance with Dutch PAYE legislation Accommodation secured locally to support workforce mobilisation Workforce continuity maintained despite supply chain disruption The project remains active and is expected to continue through July 2026 Workforce solutions for complex infrastructure projects Rullion’s tech workforce solutions are designed to help organisations deploy skilled technical talent while maintaining compliance with local employment and safety requirements. By combining specialist recruitment with compliant employment structures and mobilisation support, we help ensure critical projects can maintain workforce continuity from early construction through to completion. If you're planning a large-scale infrastructure project and would like to explore how a compliant workforce model could support delivery, book a discovery call with our team.