With the announcement in the recent federal budget of a $1.5 billion skills fund aimed at delivering an additional 300,000 apprentices and trainees over the next four years, TAFE NSW are playing their part with the staging of the 2017 Western Sydney Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo at Penrith Panthers on 29 August 2017 – 3pm to 8pm.

The Western Sydney Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo attracted over 4000 attendees and 100 exhibitors last year from the Greater Western Sydney region. This year, the organising committee is aiming to eclipse this with increased promotion across the whole Sydney basin and new initiatives to take the event to another level.

One of these new initiatives is a partnership with SkillsOne Television and the staging of their popular Skills & Thrills showcase to run concurrently with the Expo.

The Skills & Thrills showcase supported by Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the NSW Government is aimed at promoting vocational career pathways through an exhilarating display of music, film and theatre. Find out the latest on jobs of the future, industry trends and connecting your passion to a successful career outcome.

The Western Sydney Apprenticeship & Traineeship Expo has a rich history dating back 15 years and has grown to a status where it is widely accepted as the premier apprenticeship/traineeship expo in NSW.

The timing of the expo is a hit with families as it allows parents to attend with their siblings and have those all-important career chats with industry experts.

The expo kicks off the recruitment process. Exhibitors get the chance to promote their organisation and collect resumes for upcoming recruitment drives.

High School Careers Advisers from the Nepean Careers Forum are on hand to meet career seekers and parents to discuss career options.

For a look at the 2016 expo click here

For a look at the Skills & Thrills showcase from 2016 click here

Interested in becoming a sponsor and/or exhibiting? Contact Brett Carter on 0437 995 279 or brett.carter18@tafensw.edu.au for details.

A unique partnership between Western Sydney University and innovative company Laser Wizard has resulted in the prestigious Laser Wizard Innovation Award, with a $2,500 first prize up for grabs – not to mention exposure at the University’s 2017 Widevision and the Penrith City Council Real Festival for the successful entrants.

In line with current market trends, this year’s theme is centred around ‘Smart Sustainable Homes,’ challenging students to develop ground breaking sustainable products for the home in the fields of Engineering – incorporating Civil, Construction, Electrical, Mechanical and Robotics & Mechatronics – Industrial Design, Computing and Construction Management.

Recognising the need for talented students to apply their valuable skills in today’s competitive commercial environment, the Laser Wizard Innovation Award provides young people with the platform to turn their visionary ideas into practical reality. At the same time, this inaugural award contributes to Laser Wizard’s Social Responsibility Program, ensuring the Western Sydney student community benefits directly from this exciting initiative.

Students are encouraged to develop eco-friendly devices or gadgets for use within, or outside, the home which can be applied to water usage, power, plumbing, construction methods, insulation, climate control, smart home developments, lifestyle spaces or lighting, though any area of sustainability may be explored.

Brett Kingham, a WSU alumni and CEO of Laser Wizard, a family-owned laser cutting business based in St Mary’s, saw the opportunity to give something back to the University while recognising the need for tech-savvy students to utilise their newly-learned skills in a real-world, commercial setting. ‘There is nothing more rewarding than encouraging and motivating the up-and-coming generation to design products which have the potential to revolutionise daily life, inside and outside the home.’

‘Supporting the local community appears on top of my shareholders priority list and the Laser Wizard Innovation Award is a great way to enable students to create tangible products which utilise laser technology while giving them recognition at the same time.’

Laser Wizard is at the forefront of providing innovative services in a highly competitive environment with a focus on delivering precision cutting every time. Established in 1999, the company has experienced steady growth due to its commitment to superior quality and standard of excellence.

Western Sydney University students are encouraged to register their interest to enter the competition on the Awards website by the end of the Autumn semester, Friday 26th May. 

For more information contact Laser Wizard:

P: 02-9623-2335

W: www.laserwizard.com.au

Pitcher Partners' comprehensive analysis of the 2017-18 Federal Budget is now available.

Overview

This Budget continues the intent of gradually returning to surplus over the medium term, with the Budget expected to balance in 2021 and remaining in surplus thereafter. But it's a case of relying on regulation, not innovation, to find savings in the Budget.

To read more click here.

Personal Income Tax

There are no changes to personal income tax rates proposed in the Budget, however the Medicare Levy will increase from 2% to 2.5% from 1 July 2019.

To read more click here.

Superannuation

No major superannuation changes, but the Government has announced housing affordability measures and tax integrity measures applying to specific superannuation investments.

To read more click here.

Small Business

The instant asset write-off is being extended, but access to the small business CGT concessions will be tightened.

To read more click here.

Property

The Government has introduced two new measures to restrict the availability of deductions in respect of residential investment property, expecting to save $800 million over the forward estimates.

To read more click here.

International Tax Measures

Foreign residents owning or looking to invest in Australian real estate have been targeted in the Government’s housing affordability measures.

To read more click here.

Finance and Investment

A major bank levy will be imposed on Authorised Deposit Institutions. The Government has also introduced tax incentives to encourage investment in affordable accommodation.

To read more click here.

Indirect Taxes

A range of indirect tax measures have been announced in the Federal Budget.

To read more click here.

Fintech and Innovation

A number of amendments were expected to address uncertainties with the current tax concessions relating to Fintech startups. These did not materialise.

To read more click here.

Tax Integrity

The ATO continues to focus on the black economy and organised crime.

To read more click here.

Infrastructure

The Federal Government will seek to boost the economy by investing an additional $20 billion in transport infrastructure over the next ten years.

To read more click here.

Download the full report here.

Download the Federal Budget Infographic Highlights here.

Contact

Scott Treatt

Partner, Tax Consulting

+61 2 9228 2284

scott.treatt@pitcher.com.au

Pitcher Partners Sydney

Level 22 MLC Centre, 19 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000

www.pitcher.com.au

Join Children's Medical Research Institute for a night filled with celebrities, entertainment and fundraising! 

The Jeans for Genes Denim Dinner raises much needed funds to beat childhood diseases like cancer and support the amazing work of the talented researchers at Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI). 

This premier charity event is a 'must' on the Sydney social calendar and one not to be missed! 

The night will be packed with surprises, great entertainment and delicious food. 

Join CMRI to raise awareness and funds to fast track their goal of eradicating childhood cancers and genetic diseases.

Details: 

Saturday 15 July 2017. 6:30pm drinks on arrival. 7:30pm start, to conclude at 11:30pm

Venue:

The Star, Event Centre
80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont

Attire:

Black Tie with a touch of Denim

Tickets: 

Single ticket: $350
Table of 10: $3,150

Mention you are a WSBC Member to receive a 10% discount on the purchase of a table of 10.

To purchase tickets please email J4GEvents@cmri.org.au or contact:

Rebecca Hasler on +61 2 8865 2812
Nikki Byrnes on +61 2 8865 2955

For further information go to www.denimdinner.org.au

Culture in your workplace happens - for better, or for worse.

If the video above looked familiar, you will greatly benefit from having a system for deliberately creating the culture in your business.

One of the ways you can ensure your workplace is a great place to work is reviewing the Environment, Practices and Rituals that occur in your organisation.

First, look at the physical Environment you and your team work in every day. It is normal to get tunnel-vision when you spend so much time in a workplace. After some time, you no longer see what a client or visitor would see when they visit your business, so try to take a 3rd person view… or ask people!

Have a look at what changes could be made. These do not have to be expensive changes. They could be simple layout changes of desks or decluttering. How’s the lighting, temperature or noise? It’s proven that natural light and plants can create healthier workplaces.

Next, review your organisation’s Practices, which includes things like organisational design and structure.

Structure helps people in your organisation work together effectively. The more effective the structure, the more effective the working relations between people and departments.

Your HR Practices contribute to your culture. Think about the importance of a practice like Onboarding. This is where employee engagement begins. The quality of your onboarding practice has a big impact on people and will determine whether they attach to your business for the long-term.

Finally, what are the Rituals and Routines going on in your business? These should teach people about your culture and the workplace you’re trying to create.

Rituals and Routines determine what is expected to happen in given situations, and what is valued by management. Examples include morning teas for new starters, Friday afternoon get-togethers, end of month drinks, or simply just saying goodbye to everyone before you leave for the day.

Through the power of rituals, bonds become stronger and non-members become members of the culture

This is step 5 from Great Managers’ 6-Step System for Deliberately Creating your Workplace Culture. On 26 May, Managing Director, Sandra Wood, will be sharing the other 5 steps and much more on WSBC’s next webinar, Building a Great Place to Work. 

Simply follow this link to register for our live, free webinar. 

PARKROYAL Parramatta have just released a number of great offers including: 

The ‘Meet & Stay” residential conference package:

Book and hold your next Residential Conference before 30 September 2017 to take advantage of their full Day Delegate Package from AUD299 per person, with overnight accommodation in one of their new Premier Rooms.

For enquiries and bookings contact PARKROYAL Parramatta on:

P: 02 9685 0340  

E: events.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

The ‘Day Delegate Barista Package’:

Experience PARKROYAL Parramatta's new premium facilities and enjoy unlimited barista coffee for your next meeting or event.

Book their Day Delegate Barista Package for only AUD81 per person.

To request a quote or site visit, contact PARKROYAL Parramatta on: 

P: 02 9685 0391 

E: events.prsyp@parkroyalhotels.com

The City of Parramatta's Draft Economic Development Plan 2017 – 2021 (EDP) is on public exhibition for a period of 28 days beginning 10th May – 7th June.

Summary of the EDP

The EDP represents Council’s commitment to growing jobs and business across the whole LGA. The plan seeks to provide a roadmap to facilitating the growth of 20,000 additional jobs over the next five years in key employment precincts and local centres. The EDP has been prepared after extensive consultation with business owners, the community and government agencies through interviews, surveys, workshops and presentations.

Purpose of the Draft Plan

The purpose of the EDP is to grow the number of jobs in the Parramatta Local Government Area. It achieves this by communicating the following:

1. Providing a clear economic direction for the City;

2. Outlining the challenges and opportunities in the local economy;

3. Providing a positive framework for partners to work together;

4. Detailing specific goals, objectives and programs; and

5. Guiding the appropriate expenditure of the Economic Development Special Rate.

Public Exhibition

Council has approved the draft plan to be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days. This will allow Council the opportunity to conduct further consultation with the business community to make sure the programs and initiatives listed in the plan are appropriate.

The EDP will be made available online on council’s websites, and hard copies at Council and in libraries. Information sessions will be organised to allow for a more in-depth consultation and discussion. More information on information will be soon be made available on Council’s website.

Providing Feedback

Council encourages interested people to provide feedback on the EDP. Submissions can be made via Council’s website or in person at one of the information sessions.

Visit - https://www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/about-parramatta/news/on-exhibition/draft-economic-development-plan-2017-2021

Join the Parramatta Eels for a long weekend away as they take on the Cowboys in their round 14 clash at TIO Stadium, Darwin on June 10. 

Your long weekend includes: 

• Return economy airfares
  
• 3 nights accommodation plus breakfast
  
• Captains run training session
  
• Dinner with the playing squad
  
• Seafood luncheon and Adelaide River Croc Tour
  
• VIP corporate hospitality seating at the game
  

Locally sourced, seasonal produce offering the freshest quality menu’s for your next event.

Events by ATC Executive Chef’s at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens strive to deliver the ultimate culinary experience by sourcing fresh New South Wales produce and cultivating herbs and spices onsite. Garden to Gala has been developed by working closely with our food producers and onsite horticultural and culinary teams. Menus are of optimum quality designed to energise, stimulate and encourage wellbeing at your next event, conference or gala.

Having been awarded The Savour Restaurants & Catering Awards for Excellence, Best Caterer at a Major Event (2015) and Best Events Caterer – NSW (2016), Events by ATC pride ourselves on a dedication to serving our guests the highest quality food possible.

Delegates and guests will be fuelled by healthy, wholesome and nutritious Garden to Gala menus.

Spoil Mum with a delicious buffet breakfast including an indulgent dessert buffet and a complimentary champagne buffet where Mum can mix a Mimosa or two!

Bookings are from 9am and we’re extending breakfast right up until midday!

Book now to ensure you don’t miss out.

Kids under 8 years eat FREE!

$35 per adult, $15 per child (9-16yrs)

Ph: (02) 9630 4999 | E: h8787-fb@accor.com