The Girls in Civil program, initiated by Armidale Regional Council (ARC) in partnership with Training Services NSW, represents a pioneering effort to address gender disparity within the civil construction industry and local government sectors. Targeting female high school students, this three-day intensive experiential learning program provides practical exposure to civil construction through structured activities, site visits, equipment demonstrations, and direct interactions with industry professionals. A distinctive feature of the initiative is the inclusion of formal certification in operating an elevating work platform, enhancing participants' employability and confidence. The program employed qualitative and quantitative evaluation approaches, including participant surveys, certification completion tracking, and media analysis.
Results indicated high participant satisfaction, with significant increases in interest and confidence in pursuing careers in civil construction. Certification completion rates were notably high, underscoring the effectiveness of hands-on training. The program received substantial media attention and public recognition, culminating in receiving the prestigious 2024 National Award for Local Government in the "Career Starter" category. This paper discusses the program's effectiveness, compares it with similar initiatives, and acknowledges limitations such as scalability and resource constraints. Recommendations for future iterations include expanding partnerships, incorporating longitudinal tracking of participants' career trajectories, and exploring opportunities for broader geographic implementation.