The NSW Government is investing up to $100 million to increase training options for employers, which will support over 47,000 training places for apprentices and trainees.

NSW Minister for Skills John Barilaro said a top priority is to give employers more flexibility to choose the training providers who can best deliver government subsidised apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW.

“NSW needs more people working in skilled jobs across the state who can make a significant contribution to our growing economy,” Mr Barilaro said.

“Employers can find the training option that best suits them and their businesses with the construction, automotive, engineering, aviation, finance and insurance sectors to benefit, among others.

“The additional training options are in the areas where there is strong demand, including western and south-western Sydney where there is a skills shortage.

“We are determined to help young people get the skills they need to get the jobs they want,” Mr Barilaro said.

The NSW Government is also investing $10 million to give students who have left school fee-free pre-traineeship and pre-apprenticeship courses – a “try before you buy” model to provide students with the opportunity to start an apprenticeship or traineeship.

The changes form part of a raft of measures to drive skills training in NSW and will help increase apprenticeship completion rates to 65 per cent by 2019.

To find out about training options in any NSW region, visit www.smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au

ONE of the world’s leading business improvement companies has thrown its weight behind the ‘job ready’ skills of Australian Defence Force members, confirming employing a Reservist can positively impact on a business’s bottom line.

BSI (British Standards Institution) is a company that works with businesses to equip them with the necessary solutions to turn standards of best practice into habits of excellence. 

With more than 80,000 clients in 172 countries, BSI believes they are an organisation whose standards inspire excellence across the globe.

BSI Group ANZ General Manager Sales & Marketing John Krnel said employing Defence Force Reservists made “good business sense”.

“What we have found over the years is that many of the skills developed within a Defence Force context directly translate to the corporate environment,” Mr Krnel said.

“Defence Force Reservists demonstrate excellent leadership qualities. We find they bring a myriad of skills to the workplace.”

Leadership, initiative and teamwork are just some of the personal attributes Defence Force Reservists bring to the BSI Group ANZ workplace, he said.

Mr Krnel said an excellent example of the benefits of employing a Reservist was BSI Group ANZ Business Development Manager Andrew Moore.

Mr Moore is Squadron Sergeant Major, A Squadron, with the 1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers (1/15 RNSWL) Light Cavalry Regiment located at Parramatta, NSW.

“Andrew applies his Defence leadership skills in managing his team,” Mr Krnel said.

“In return for all of the skills developed in the Defence Force we offer Reservists with flexible working arrangements and support through the BSI Group ANZ Defence Leave Policy.”

Mr Moore said he appreciated the support he received from BSI Group ANZ.

“BSI Group ANZ has a number of mechanisms in place to ensure employees who are Defence Force Reservists are supported,” Mr Moore said.

“Like any employer there has to be give and take, giving BSI as much as possible notice has always helped me in being able to be released to attend courses and training for extend periods of time.

“As well as the leadership benefits employees bring to the workplace, employers of Defence Force Reservists are eligible for a range of benefits provided through the Defence Reserves Support organisation”.

Financial incentives such as the Employer Support Payment Scheme and ‘Reservist Experience’ programs such as Exercise Executive Stretch and Exercise Boss Lift are two examples of support provided to employers.

Earlier this year Mr Krnel got a first-hand taste of military life when he took part in the Defence Reserves Support VIP Challenge held at the Australian Army Recruit Training in Kapooka, NSW.

The aim of the challenge, which is held annually, is to provide employers the opportunity to observe and experience the personal, technical and professional skills Reservists receive as a member of the Navy, Army or Air Force Reserve.

“Activities included leadership and survival skills training as well as team building exercises and physical challenges,” Mr Krnel said.

“It really was a great experience -especially the confidence course.”

Click here to learn more about Defence Reserves Support

John Krnel undertaking the High Ropes Confidence Course at the 2015 Defence Reserves Support Kapooka VIP Challenge

^{Article By FLTLT Nick O’Connor}

Celebrate the achievements of women in Western Sydney – women from business and local industry, education, health, charity and community groups – who are committed to improving our local community and the lives of others.

Nominate these inspirational women for the 2016 Women of the West Awards.

The awards were established by the University to recognise the significant contributions and achievements of women from the Greater Western Sydney region.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

• Women of the West
  
• Young Women of the West (specifically for women aged between 18 and 28 years old)

The winner of each category will receive a grant of $5,000 and nominees highly commended for each category will receive a grant of $1,000 to further develop their leadership and advocacy work in their local community.

Entries close Sunday 13 December 2015.

The winners will be publicly announced at Western Sydney University’s International Women's Day celebrations in March next year.

For further information or to submit a nomination, please visit www.westernsydney.edu.au/womenofthewest .

Today Western Sydney University hosted an "Ideas Lab” event to discuss the Western Sydney Innovation Corridor strategy recently developed and proposed by the University and launched at a joint WSBC WSU event in June earlier this year. 

This strategy seeks to optimize State and Commonwealth planning along with infrastructure and investment commitments in Western Sydney by gathering, activating, and promoting the diverse set of new opportunities within the region. Following the arc of the planned M9 ‘Outer Sydney Orbital’, the Corridor links the region’s currently diffused and developing innovation entities into an interconnected span of knowledge-driven commercial hubs. 

The event included a presentation from Professor Donald McNeill who has written a discussion paper on the Corridor plan. Professor McNeill delivered an analysis of the opportunities the Corridor plan offers along with observations of the key inputs required to activate the initiative including aspects such as innovation culture and the role of science and technology in Western Sydney and also his reflections from his research on how similar concepts around the world have driven regional based innovation. 

A panel discussion followed with experts including: Professor Barney Glover (WSU), Dr Tim Williams (Committee for Sydney), David Borger (Sydney Business Chamber),  Lindy Deitz (Campbelltown City Council) and John Vassallo (Celestino). The panel included a lively discussion that covered issues such as how the Corridor should integrate with other innovation activity in Greater Sydney, what role the new Western Sydney Airport will play in activating the corridor and how Western Sydney needs to “maintain the rage” to ensure the region keeps an appropriate level of focus on its ongoing development from State and Federal governments. Much of the discussion centred around Connectivity and ensuring issues such as fast rail between the new Airport, Parramatta and Sydney CBD remain a focus and pressure is maintained on governments to build these types of infrastructure. 

In live polls taken during the event, the audience identified, Medtech, Science, Agribusiness and Aeronautical Engineering as future industry opportunities for Western Sydney and also a lack of connectivity and government buy-in / political leadership as the highest level risks to the corridor strategy not being realised.

Western Sydney University "Ideas Labs" are forums to identity and discuss issues affecting the region. A white paper will be released outlining the discussions from the event and outcomes of the Lab to inform policy and act as a practical resource for all stakeholders.

For more information contact Ms Angelique Harslett on 0467 763 428

In the meantime you can view the discussion paper here.

Community information sessions for the Western Sydney Airport Draft Airport Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will start this week. This follows the release of the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Warren Truss MP. 

These community information sessions are a great opportunity for you to talk to the project team about the proposed Western Sydney Airport and find out more about the project. There are 12 information sessions scheduled at various locations around Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

This week you will have the opportunity to drop in and talk to the project team at the following locations and times:

Luddenham
Wednesday 28 October
4pm-7pm

Holy Family Primary School

32 Willowdene Avenue, Luddenham

St Marys
Thursday 29 October
4pm-7pm
St Marys Memorial Hall

Corner Great Western Highway and Mamre Road, St Marys

Blaxland
Saturday 31 October
12pm-3pm
Blaxand Community Hall

33 Hope Street, Blaxland

To find out more about future information sessions and to see where you can view a copy of the draft Airport Plan and draft EIS in your local area, visit westernsydneyairport.gov.au or call us on 1800 038 160.

Community members and organisations are also now invited to make a submission on the draft Airport Plan and the draft EIS. The submissions deadline is Friday 18 December 2015. Further information is also available on westernsydneyairport.gov.au or by calling 1800 038 160.

The transformation of the Parramatta CBD is entering a new phase with the escalation of works on the $2 billion Parramatta Square project.

Civic Place and Leigh Place will be closed to traffic and pedestrians in preparation for the demolition of the former Council offices, library, shops and Connection Arcade – the sites for Aspire Tower (Stage 2), Stages 5 and 6 and a new world-class public domain.

The closure, from Saturday 7 November, will also facilitate further construction on Stage 3 including an archaeological and Aboriginal heritage excavation, and various construction works including the relocation of key infrastructure assets.

A partial closure of the Civic Place car park was implemented earlier this year to allow the development of the Western Sydney University building leaving 29 parking spots.

“The full closure of Civic Place signals another step towards realising the Parramatta Square vision. Work is well underway on the Western Sydney University campus, which is scheduled for completion by the end of next year and will be ready to receive 10,000 students in 2017,” Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard said.

“Parramatta Square will give Parramatta residents the world-class CBD centre they deserve. New civic facilities, a state-of-the-art library, premium office space, a residential tower, A-Grade commercial space, and a new public domain are all planned for the three hectare site.”   

To ensure pedestrian safety there will also be changes to pedestrian access as the site expands as a construction zone.

Access will be closed between 30 Darcy Street and the Sydney Water building and on the eastern side of the now-vacant library through to Macquarie Street.

The pedestrian access between 12 Darcy Street and the Connection Arcade past the western side of the library through to Macquarie Street will also be closed along with access from Centenary Square past the southern side of the Town Hall and Chambers building through to Macquarie Street.

Pedestrian access to Macquarie Street from Parramatta Station will be via Smith Street and Centenary Square.

Vehicle access to the Council Chambers basement car park and Town Hall courtyard will be by ‘Authorised Vehicles’ only up to and including the last Council Meeting on 14 December.

Nearby parking options include the City Centre car park (Horwood Place) and Parramatta Station car park (Wentworth Street).

A five-minute drop off point will be established adjacent to the entry of the Council Chambers building for people with disabilities and senior citizens who require access to the Council Chambers building.  

A combination of ‘No Parking’ and ‘5 Minute Parking’ restrictions have been installed on the south side of Macquarie Street between Church Street and Horwood Place to provide a set-down/pick-up area during the construction period.

According to the road rules, motorists can stop for a maximum of two minutes within the ‘No Parking’ area to set-down and pick-up passengers. A vehicle displaying a mobility parking permit is allowed to stop/park for a maximum of five minutes in the ‘No Parking’ zone and up to 30 minutes in the ‘5 Minute Parking’ area.

There are currently 3,450 Council-owned off-street car park spaces available within the Parramatta CBD and the total number will rise to 3,800 once the new 700 space car park at 189 Macquarie St is built and opened in 2017.

Council meetings will continue to be held at the Council Chambers building until next year when they will be relocated to a site yet to be determined. 

In a gesture of special generosity, Elite Travel has decided to donate $100 to Westmead Medical Research Foundation (WMRF), from every international ticket purchase prior to March 31, 2016. 

Elite Travel has been a long time supporter of WMRF through a range of initiatives which include sponsorship, raffle prizes for flights and accommodation, short trips and other incentives that support its fundraising initiatives. 

To take advantage of this generous offer and help WMRF, simply email info@elitetravel.com.au, visit www.elitetravel.com.au or call 1800 627 746 and quote promotion code ‘WMRF15’.

“It is very generous of Elite Travel to support us through this special offer,” said Susie Saba, Partnerships & Community Officer at WMRF. “Proceeds go towards funding innovative care, new medical equipment and critical research, all of which go a long way in improving the quality of life, access to state-of-the-art technology and finding cures for diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension, among others,” she added.

Supporting Westmead Hospital and Westmead Millennium Institute for Medical Research, WMRF relies on its generous donors to help the people of Western Sydney gain access to the very best of health care services and equipment. Critical breakthroughs and exciting discoveries in research have helped progress towards life-giving solutions and a better, more positive future for  people in Australia and globally.

If you’re looking for a partnership with WMRF, call Susie on 9845 8162 or email partnerships@wmrf.org.au We can create special business partnership proposals that will improve visibility of your brand and business within the vast Westmead family. We have access to a diverse range of health, community and business networks, and can help you build a strong corporate social responsibility profile.

You can also make a donation via the website wmrf.org.au, or free call 1800 639 037. You can volunteer, leave a gift in your Will, collect donations in lieu of presents at a celebration, attend a My Westmead Seminar, or partner with WMRF through a community group or business, like the WMRF collaboration with Elite Travel.

Purchase an international ticket from Elite Travel and help WMRF raise funds towards a brighter, better future.

To discuss partnership opportunities, contact Susie Saba on 9845 8162/ 0407 780 787 or email Susie.saba@wmrf.org.au

Gala dinners are popular options for business celebrations, awards nights, conferences and fundraisers.

The key components of any gala dinner are fabulous food, eye-popping décor, a fun theme and first-class entertainment. If it is a fundraising gala dinner, it will usually include raffles offering desirable, high-value prizes and auctions offering unique or money-can’t-buy items.

With so much to organise, it is usually recommended that a committee be formed to organise the event. If this isn’t an option, consider selecting a venue that offers gala dinner packages to make the whole event easier to manage.  

5 tips to help with planning your gala dinner

The success of major infrastructure plans, new health precincts, the Western Sydney airport AND YOUR business hinges on a ready supply of skilled workers – particularly if Western Sydney businesses are going to benefit or be part of these opportunities.