Go West For Employment Opportunity

12 Feb 2009

With the economic slowdown increasing unemployment and shrinking growth in the labour force, Parramatta, in central Sydney, is proving to be a secure labour market of choice.

“One in three employees in Parramatta work within the safer sectors of education, healthcare and the public service, partly protected from the full force of the global financial crisis,” said Lord Mayor of Parramatta City Council, Cr Tony Issa OAM. “Our recently launched website My New Work City, powered by SEEK, has shown full-time and part-time vacancies in Parramatta remaining steady,” he said.

Despite job figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing a sharp rise in unemployment there are over 900 vacancies in Parramatta listed by SEEK - particularly in office administration, accounting, sales, customer service and civil engineering.

“Over 30 per cent of our workers are employed within these strong industries which means there are more people walking around here with money in their pockets,” said Mike Thomas, Manager of Economic Development at Parramatta City Council.

Parramatta is acknowledged as the capital of central and western Sydney and, with its lower rental rates, is increasingly a favourite for relocated Government departments. The Roads and Traffic Authority and Attorney-General’s Department recently moved to the riverside city and Sydney Water opens its headquarters in Parramatta in May.

“Out of all our offices around the country, Parramatta is proving to be one of the stronger regions for our recruitment agency,” said Scott Small, CEO of Smalls Recruiting.

“It’s a very appealing city, centrally located and with access to two million workers who live in the central Sydney area. I anticipate it will become a real hub as the economy slows,” he said.

Mike Thomas, Manager of Economic Development, also believes Federal Government recent commitments delivering more infrastructure projects in and around Parramatta will further safeguard the city from any downturn in the economy.

“In the past we have talked down the fact that we are a government town. Now with stability of employment we are talking it up. The public sector certainly has to cut down costs but at least their projects are still continuing compared to the more cautionary private sector,” he said.

Thomas is also encouraging Western Sydney’s own rich multicultural population to take advantage of the city’s good opportunities for small business