People Powered Profile: Carrie Dodge

Carrie Dodge, Business Manager at Rockscape Energy, shares her journey into biogas careers UK-wide and insights into the UK anaerobic digestion sector.

Key challenges include feedstock shortages, skills gaps, and supply chain issues. Demand remains high for operations, maintenance, and technical roles, with teamwork and adaptability critical for success in this evolving renewable energy industry.

In this edition of Astute’s People Powered Profile series, Aaron Rayner speaks with Carrie Dodge, Business Manager at Rockscape Energy, about her career journey and insights into biogas careers UK-wide.

Watch the full interview below:

Career Journey Into Biogas Careers UK

“So in my career, I’ve had a variety of different jobs, really.

“I have been a sports coach, a lifeguard, and my most recent role before entering the AD sector was as a teacher for almost 12 years.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans for my career. I then ended up in the AD industry, where I’m now a Business Manager at Rockscape Energy.”

Key Projects in the AD Sector

“At Rockscape, we’re always really busy with different projects.

“During the four years that I’ve been here, we’ve done a full digester clean-out, which involved three tanks worth of digestate.

“We’ve done roof replacements, office and lab refurbishments, and we’ve also increased our waste storage capacity by installing extra tanks.”

How the Renewable Energy Sector Has Changed

“Within my four years in the AD industry, I’ve seen changes, especially during the COVID-19 situation, where feedstocks were in high demand but short supply, leading to price increases.

“We’ve had to change our recipe here from mainly agricultural feedstocks to incorporating more waste.

“Additionally, gas prices have fluctuated significantly due to global events.”

Biggest Challenges Facing Biogas Careers UK-Wide

“Post-COVID, the industry is struggling for feedstocks again.

“There’s a short supply of feedstocks and parts, with many parts being sourced from abroad.

“From a personnel point of view, the industry is quite short of people who are specifically trained in AD because there are no dedicated courses. People who want to work in the industry often don’t know much about it.

This gap is also flagged by the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association, which continues to call for clearer training pathways into the sector.

“So, when I’m recruiting for any position, the skillsets are all quite similar, regardless of the role.

“At Rockscape, we need people who are willing to work as a team.

“Teamwork is vital in this industry, as are communication skills, reliability, and being proactive within your role.”

In-Demand Skills for Biogas Careers UK Employers Want

“I see high demand for good people in all areas of the power sector, particularly in operations and maintenance management and high-quality controls and instrument technicians.

“With experienced managers moving on, it can be difficult to find a good mix of technical, people, operational, and commercial management skills.”

What Makes the Renewable Sector Rewarding

“What I really enjoy is that no day is ever the same.

“We don’t have typical Monday-to-Friday days because the plant operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“I enjoy not having a routine, as I have to be proactive in maximising the plant’s efficiency.”

Career Advice for Future Engineers

“I would tell my younger self not to be afraid of society.

“As a teenage girl interested in engineering, it was challenging because women in engineering were rare back then.

“Now, it’s different.

“I would encourage my younger self to go for those goals, not to be afraid of learning something new, and to gain new qualifications, as every little bit helps to enhance your transferable skills.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Biogas Careers UK

Do you need a science or engineering background for biogas careers UK-wide?
Not necessarily. Carrie’s own path came via teaching and sports coaching, showing that transferable skills like teamwork, reliability and adaptability often matter as much as a technical background when moving into AD.

Why is there a skills shortage in biogas careers UK-wide?
There are currently no dedicated AD training courses in the UK, so many people simply don’t know the sector exists as a career option, a gap that industry bodies continue to flag as a barrier to growth.

What does day-to-day work look like in biogas careers UK-wide?
AD plants run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so roles rarely follow a typical Monday-to-Friday routine. Work spans operations, maintenance, feedstock management and site projects rather than a single fixed task.

Get Involved in the People Powered Profile Series

If you’d like to share your career journey in biogas careers UK-wide or the wider renewable energy sector, get in touch with our team or explore opportunities in renewable energy jobs and broader renewable energy recruitment.

Alt text for video: Interview with Carrie Dodge discussing biogas careers UK, anaerobic digestion projects, and renewable energy recruitment challenges.