Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is developing a sustainable workforce while creating career opportunities for women through its new civil construction apprenticeship initiative, the Building Futures program.
Four women have commenced apprenticeships with council as the first cohort of the program. They will complete their qualifications together while rotating through key operational areas including Parks, Transport, Capital Works and Regional Roads.
The initiative builds on ARC’s successful Girls in Civil program and has been funded through the NSW Government’s Fresh Start Program.
Additional investment from council will accelerate the apprentices’ professional development and strengthen local workforce capability across the region.
ARC Executive Manager People and Culture Annie Harris said the initiative addressed ongoing workforce shortages in the civil construction sector.
“Recruitment in civil construction is tough. Good operators are hard to find and harder to keep, and crews are stretched thin,” Harris said.
“This program offers a practical solution, creating trained job-ready workers while building a strong pipeline for the future. Excitingly, it also creates a structured pathway for women to build a career in civil construction.”
Each six-month rotation is designed to provide apprentices with broad, hands-on experience while supporting operational crews across council.
Theory training will be delivered in a group format to minimise disruption to day-to-day operations and allow apprentices to complete most classroom-based components together.
“The dedicated funding supports the targeted training, and apprentices will achieve their tickets and licences as well as specialised skills,” Harris said.
“This new crew will be valuable contributors to operational teams very quickly!”
The Building Futures program forms part of council’s broader Blueprint to Balance strategy, which includes plans to establish an all-female road maintenance crew, targeted recruitment in partnership with local training providers and women’s organisations, and mentoring and training from experienced staff.
Council said the program would help build a more diverse and resilient workforce over time.
“This initiative is not just about filling roles, it is about building capability, supporting communities, and creating meaningful career pathways,” said Harris.
“By investing in people, council is helping shape a stronger, more inclusive future for both the organisation and the region.”
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