The NSW Department of Education and Communities provides educational and training services to the population of New South Wales from pre-school to tertiary education.

State Training Services, a division of the Department, funds, promotes and supports vocational education and training to develop the skills base for the State and to grow the NSW economy. State Training Services also provides expert advice and information to industry, employers, training providers, apprentices and trainees.

State Training Services is operating as a Commonwealth-funded Australian Apprenticeships Centre providing a fully integrated one-stop shop for all apprenticeship and traineeship services and broader vocational education and training advice. State Training Services is also responsible for mediation and dispute resolution between apprentices, trainees and their employers and issues certificates to those who successfully complete their training.

The One-Stop Shop service is designed to ensure  industry, training organisations, employers and their employees have all the necessary support and advice to obtain the skills and qualifications their business needs.

Each year the NSW Training Awards celebrate and reward outstanding achievements in vocational education and training. This year the Western Sydney region had four separate category winners in the regional awards, a finalist building a truck from scratch, a teacher with an innovative approach to teaching and a student that was so successful in his studies that now wants to continue to become a teacher and help students develop their very best.

These winners are finalist on the 2014 NSW training Awards to be held on the 9 of September in Sydney, if successful and winning their category they can later on be on their way to Adelaide for the National Awards.

It’s really a remarkable achievement being a finalist from all the people that are postulated, the success stories behind many of the candidates are an inspiration to us all. Taking on an apprentice or a trainee has not only financial advantages for employers but they become active benefactors off the community and they are a drive in the economic development of their region.

Be recognised and increase your profile in your industry and community. Final year apprentices, trainees and students as well as teachers, training providers and employers are encouraged to enter.

If you are a large national employer or a small or medium sized business our commitment to you is to provide a professional and timely approach to all your training issues, respond promptly to your requests and assist in achieving a positive outcome for all concerned. State Training Services will provide you with a single point of contact in the holistic management of all your employees throughout the duration of their traineeship or apprenticeship.

NSW Premier Mike Baird launched the Premier’s Innovation Initiative, which will use ‘crowdsourcing’ to solve issues of congestion, social housing assets and open data.

A competitive selection process will be undertaken to identify inventive solutions to these issues from private and non-government organisations.

It follows the lead from countries like the UK and US where public services have been improved by community working with Governments.

The initiative focuses on four areas: congestion, social housing assets, open data and open ideas, where the public nominates areas. 

Key milestones were announced in the delivery of WestConnex this week, including the release of the M4 Widening Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The M4 Widening is part of WestConnex, Australia’s biggest urban road project, which will provide greater Sydney with a continuous free flowing motorway.

The EIS shows the project will achieve travel time savings of up to 74 per cent for motorists using this stretch of WestConnex – saving motorists up to 100,000 hours of travel time a day and $1 million a day on car maintenance.

Over the next month, businesses, residents and motorists will be consulted.

The NSW Government is seeking community feedback on its plan to unlock $20 billion in infrastructure funding by undertaking a long-term lease of 49 per cent of “poles and wires” network businesses.

We outlined a clear plan to improve the daily lives of families across NSW by investing in our roads and rail networks, our schools and hospitals, and our water infrastructure.

We encourage you to have your say, in the first step of the consultation process on specific issues or concerns regarding the Rebuilding NSW plan and the proposed partial lease.

You can respond to the initial discussion paper by 19 September 2014.

Parramatta and Harris Park will once again spring to life when the vibrant sights and sounds of the fifth annual South Asian festival Parramasala returns from 17-19 October.

Featuring an exciting program of local and international artists, Parramasala is set to transform Parramatta with contemporary music, dance, theatre, film, workshops, exhibitions, free concerts bazaar market and Bollywood-style dancers.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr John Chedid, said Parramatta is looking forward to reaping the social, cultural and economic benefits from this annual festival.

“Parramasala draws thousands of visitors to Parramatta and brings some of the world’s best performers and artists to our City, helping reinforce our position as one of the leading major events destinations in Sydney,” Cr Chedid said.

“Our City is home to one of Australia’s largest Indian and South Asian communities and this festival not only highlights our thriving cultural diversity but also provides a great opportunity to showcase Parramatta and Harris Park to a large number of visitors from across Sydney.”

Some of the highlights of Parramasala 2014 include the free opening night parade through the streets of Parramatta, events in Harris Park and a range of entertainment and celebrations over the weekend.

The full 2014 program for Parramasala will be available in late August.

For more information or to sign up for the e-newsletter about the event, please visit parramasala.com

Parramatta City Council has received a windfall of almost $130 million for new community assets from the sale of a large site in Melrose Park where a new apartment complex will be built.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Cr John Chedid, said the 4.8ha site, bounded by Victoria Rd and Wharf Rd, has been bought by property group Aqualand Australia in western Sydney’s biggest development site sale of 2014.

“This is a great win for our community,” he said. “The site is a key eastern gateway to Parramatta near excellent public transport links and the Parramatta riverfront with Sydney-wide views.

“For many years, this site has been under-utilised and surplus to community needs. The sale provides a financial windfall for our community and will deliver high quality new housing in a sought-after location.”

The CEO of Parramatta City Council, Mr Greg Dyer, said Council had taken advantage of the current strong market for apartment development sites in Sydney’s west.  

“We have achieved a great result for our City,” he said “The sale will allow us to invest in new assets that will better meet future community needs. It’s about maximising the value of our assets for the benefit of our ratepayers and residents.”  

The site, which includes a mini-golf amusement park and vacant land, is partially owned by NSW Roads and Maritime Services.  

While the site has already been rezoned for apartments, Aqualand Australia will need to submit a development application detailing the proposal.

All relevant planning issues will be carefully considered and there will be a focus on high quality and environmentally sustainable design.

The sale was hotly contested by 11 parties, including both local and offshore developers, in an open expression of interest process. A decision to exchange contracts with Aqualand Australia was made at Monday’s Council meeting. The sale has a 100-day settlement period.

Cr Chedid said the new development would help to revitalise Melrose Park and provide much needed new apartments in the fast-growing suburb.

"It will also provide greater housing choice in the area – for empty-nesters looking to downsize and young couples seeking to enter the property market,” he said  

Save The Date!

Don't forget your WSBC membership allows you to invite your prospects or existing clients to join you at your own table at the upcoming WSBC Business Leader Luncheon, at the reduced member rate, saving $65 per ticket.

Many members have already taken advantage of this opportunity to engage their clients. 

As places are going fast, don't miss out yourself.

The State of the Region address delivered by the Hon Mike Baird, Premier of NSW, provides valuable insights into what is happening and will be happening in the Western Sydney region.  

Don’t miss out contact our events team now or book online. 

Closing date 19 August. 

Provided in cooperation with the University of 

Western Sydney and Western Sydney Business Connection