#thenewITgirls Boostcamp
We pave the way for women in Austria to enter the IT sector! Breaking down barriers, supporting each other and growing in a strong community.
Theme: Promoting skills and development
Phase and Stage: Digital – Upskilling / reskilling
Action: Training / mentoring
Beneficiaries: Girls only; Women only
Users: Training providers; NGOs/Society; Policy makers
The “#thenewITgirls Boostcamp” is a training initiative designed to empower women entering the IT field. It combines technical education with personal development and community building. Through evening learning sessions, networking activities, career and salary coaching, soft‑skills workshops, and technical training covering topics such as data, AI, Azure services, and data management, the program opens pathways for women also without prior IT backgrounds. The goal is to reduce entry barriers, strengthen confidence, and connect participants with potential employers.
The initiative was launched in response to Austria’s low proportion of women in IT (around 18%) and persistent social stereotypes about female careers in technology. The independent non‑profit association #thenewITgirls—founded in 2019—advocates for women in IT, increases visibility of female role models, and promotes diversity.
The Boostcamp was created in cooperation with Microsoft Austria and ETC – Enterprise Training Center to provide a low‑cost, high-quality, and accessible learning program. Its objectives address both the IT skills shortage and the structural barriers preventing women from pursuing technical careers.
THE CHALLENGE
The main challenge was that many women, despite interest in technology, are discouraged by a lack of confidence, limited access to training, strong gender stereotypes, and insufficient visibility of women in IT. These factors prevent them from entering a rapidly growing field that urgently needs skilled professionals.
Furthermore, women often require not only technical knowledge but also support in soft skills—leadership, networking, negotiation, and confidence building—to overcome career obstacles such as the “imposter syndrome.”
OUR SOLUTION
The identified solution was the development of the #thenewITgirls Boostcamp—a comprehensive, low‑barrier reskilling program offering:
Technical training (AI, databases, Azure)
Soft‑skill development (leadership, career and salary coaching, confidence‑building workshops)
Community building through meetups, networking sessions and inspirational talks
Accessible pricing: participation costs only €99 despite the training value being several thousand euros
Employer connections through partnerships with industry companies
Certification opportunities
This holistic approach targeted both skill development and the psychosocial barriers women may face when entering the IT sector.
OUTCOME
The program delivered several tangible and measurable results:
- More than 200 women have already completed the training and earned certifications, with additional program rounds underway.
- High participation and completion rates demonstrate strong relevance and accessibility.
- Increased confidence and empowerment among participants through coaching and peer support.
- A growing nationwide community of women in IT, providing long‑term support and networking.
- Improved employment prospects thanks to direct contact with potential employers.
These outcomes show that the combination of technical training, empowerment, and community can effectively increase women’s participation in the IT sector.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The project generated several key learnings:
- A holistic design is essential: technical training alone is not enough—confidence building, mentoring, and career skills are equally important.
- Community support is powerful: learning from peers and role models significantly reduces barriers and increases long‑term engagement.
- Accessibility drives participation: flexible schedules, low fees, and practical content make training more inclusive.
- Partnerships amplify impact: collaboration with companies and training providers improves program quality and job outcomes.
- Visibility matters: showcasing female role models and publicizing success stories accelerates cultural change and supports diversity goals.
These insights can be replicated in similar initiatives aimed at supporting underrepresented groups in the tech sector.
