GovWire

Case study: Dstl careers: Julie Softley

Defence Science Technology Laboratory

June 22
16:37 2023

Julie has 34 years of experience working in engineering roles at the Defensive Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and is passionate about improving diversity in the field.

Shes been an apprentice, helped design and deliver an apprenticeship programme, and is now a Suitably Qualified Experience Persons (SQEP) Lead in Counter-terrorism and security (CTS) division.

I joined Dstls predecessor in 1989 as an electronic apprentice, at a time when most others were men and the infrastructure and environment were not at all suited to women. Since then I have done a wide range of different engineering and safety roles.

Ive been at Dstl for over 34 years and have worked in Energetics, Novel Explosives and Munitions and Ive been the Explosives Safety Officer and the Range Safety Officer.

In 2016 I began working with industry to design, develop and deliver the Ordnance Munitions and Explosives apprenticeship programme to broaden the opportunity for people to pursue a career in the field. And today, I am the Technical Lead for the programme as part of my role as the SQEP Lead in CTS division.

Im proud to say that my work has been recognised in the BAE Chairman award in 2018 and has led to nominations for Woman in Defence and Apprentice Champion of the Year.

Julie is dyslexic which she has learned to use to her advantage:

I am dyslexic, which I now see as a superpower because it makes me a natural problem solver something that makes me well suited to being an engineer. But as a child it was difficult because I was scored on my ability to write or understand written questions. This drew me to more practical subjects.

My favourite hobbies as a child were Lego and modifying my bike, so once I worked out I could do an engineering apprenticeship, which was essentially putting my hobby skills to good use, I knew I had found my path.

What Julie enjoys most about being an engineer is the ability to solve problems in such a broad environment:

You never get bored, and if you do, there are always areas where your skills are needed. I really enjoy the variety of different people I work with and have worked with, some that think like me, and others that bring a different dimension and a whole set of skills I am in awe of.

Julie also says she is without a doubt most proud of the Ordnance Munitions and Explosives apprenticeship pathway:

Before the apprenticeship, the number of people building a career in energetics was tiny and unsustainable - it was only open to people that had done a degree. The apprenticeship creates an opportunity for a much wider and more diverse pool of people that perhaps didnt consider going to university or a career in energetics, to have one.

It provides them with a structured and measured learning journey, which is essential in this high hazard area, and its enabling us to grow our capability to make sure we have people with the right skills and expertise for the future.

Julie also talks about International Women in Engineering Day which has been going for 10 years now (usually occurs in June) and celebrates women working in the industry:

Engineering for women has come a long way since I was at school. I was actively discouraged from pursuing a career in it, which hasnt been the case for my teenage daughters, but still many girls are put off engineering and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Its really important that we consider what more we can do to attract girls and women into engineering and this has to start in primary school. I think there needs to be a broader understanding of what engineering is, that it isnt just fixing your VW Beetle or being good at maths or physics - for me it is so much more, its about solving problems, innovation and creativity to make life easier for people.

There is a massive shortage of women engineers and scientists in the UK and we cant afford to miss out on this valuable resource. Women bring a different perspective to the workplace and to deliver world leading science and technology, we need a diverse workforce.

Find out about careers at Dstl and explore our current job opportunities.

Published 22 June 2023

Related Articles

Comments

  1. We don't have any comments for this article yet. Why not join in and start a discussion.

Write a Comment

Your name:
Your email:
Comments:

Post my comment

Recent Comments

Follow Us on Twitter

Share This


Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: