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
“With
40 per cent of small business owners traditionally coming from a non-English
speaking background, Parramatta
is an ideal frontier for this economic sector. In times of recession
individuals are more likely to go it alone and start businesses when the job
market drops. Parramatta
is the sort of city where you would want to start,” he said.
For further information:
Parramatta City Council Media
Advisor Nicholas Pickard
Tel:
9806 5070 Mob: 0414 190 221 Email:
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