Fairfield. Pathways to employment

Fairfield City Council’s resource document, Local Learning Pathways to Employment, features an extensive list of course providers, traineeships and apprenticeships, disability employment services and job network providers to help residents identify their individual pathway to employment. The aim of the document is to assist residents become employable and to take advantage of educational opportunities by equipping them with skills to overcome barriers to employment.

Region. Landcom 'bracing 'for sales boost

Parramatta-based, Landcom was bracing itself for continued strong sales following the Reserve Bank decision to drop interest rates a further 1 per cent, Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, said the interest rate cut was expected to further boost already increased Landcom property sales in Northwest and Southwest Sydney. “Lower interest rates and increased State and Federal First Home Buyer Grants to a total of $24,000 have so far led to a 30 per cent increase in Landcom sales and sales inquires,” Ms Keneally said. The significant increases meant Landcom would have to release more land lots to meet the demand, she said.

Parramatta. Eels chairman against privatisation

Alan Overton, Parramatta’s chairman, said he opposes any plan to privatise the club, in response to the club CEO, Denis Fitzgerald’s declaration that he would be prepared to consider privatising the club as a means of coping with the harsh economic times. “Privatisation has not been discussed at board level,” Mr Overton said The Sydney Morning Herald.

Region. Small stores may close

Officeworks, which has a third of the metropolitan stores in Western Sydney, will close many of its smaller outlets over the next few years as the stationary and office supplies group undergoes a full-scale overhaul. The company, which has 119 stores nationwide, would probably open eight new stores in the next 12 months. A number of existing stores would be relocated in the push for larger outlets, according to The Australian Financial Review

Region. UWS welcomes improvement measure

The University of Western Sydney will get $1.64 million as a result of the federal government including an “improvement” component in its Learning and Teaching Performance Fund, which has lifted funds for smaller and regional universities. UWS vice-chancellor, Janie Reid, said it was reward for a long process of rationalising and modernising courses following the merger of three institutions to form UWS in 2000. “Ï think it is important because it gives an incentive to universities to constantly renews, improve and critically examine their courses, “she said In The Australian Financial Review