Western Sydney - Where the HSE jobs are moving

On 25 October, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport welcomes its first passengers. It's a big moment for Sydney. Most of the coverage has been about flights, transport links and what it means for travelers.

I've been thinking about it from a different angle. What does it mean for the people who keep these workplaces safe? Because from where I sit, a lot of WHS opportunity is moving west. And I think it's worth paying attention to if you're an HSE Advisor or Manager thinking about your next move.

What's happening out west

The airport itself has been a huge project; the Federal Government says it has created over 12,800 jobs, with around half going to local workers. Freight operations started in July and the airport is expected to serve up to 10 million passengers a year.

The bigger story is what's being built around it. In the Western Sydney Aerotropolis (new word for me – thoroughly enjoyed learning that!), the NSW Government has pointed to around $14 billion in private development applications in the pipeline, with the potential to create 120,000 jobs. Bradfield City Centre alone is expected to support 20,000 new jobs.

A lot of that activity is in warehousing, logistics, manufacturing and construction. These are industries where WHS is central to how the work gets done. Think mobile plant, traffic management, manual handling, contractor management and shift work.

Every one of those sites needs people who can manage that risk.

What this means if you're looking for your next role

For HSE Advisors, Business Partners and Managers, I think Western Sydney is one of the more interesting places to be looking right now.

New sites mean you can be part of setting things up. You get to shape the systems, the culture and the way safety is done from the start. That's a different experience to inheriting something that's been in place for 20 years.

It can also be a good step up. Growing businesses often need someone who can work across operations, contractors and leadership. If you're an Advisor wanting to move into a Manager role, that kind of exposure counts.

And for a lot of people, it's closer to home. If you live in the west and you've been commuting into the city or the eastern suburbs, it might be worth looking at what's on your doorstep.

What employers are looking for

From the conversations I'm having with hiring managers, technical knowledge is a given. What sets candidates apart is how they work with the business. A few things come up again and again:

• Experience in fast-moving environments. Logistics, warehousing, construction and manufacturing backgrounds are all relevant.
• The ability to build systems. Some of these businesses are new to the area or growing quickly, so they need people who can set things up.
• Influence with operations. The people who do well are the ones who ask "how do we do this safely?" and work with the team to find a way forward.
• Contractor management. A lot of these sites rely on contractors and labour hire, so this experience is valuable.

Let's talk

We're currently recruiting for several HSE roles across Western Sydney and the eastern seaboard. If you're open to a conversation about your next move, I'd be happy to have a confidential chat.