NYE in NY NY

Not long to go until midnight and the start of 2011. (It's 10.20 pm Friday.) Just been talking to someone who got here over 12 hours ago to bag a good spot for the NYE party. Said New Year's Eve in Times Square was on her bucket list.

Snowmaggedon

First time outside in 2 days into the white chaos of NY's Snowmageddon III, in time to head over to Bryant Park and its 100+ temporary "holiday shops" festival. Just the thing to ease the end-of-year chills.

Before and After – the new MTA Workshop

Before - the Funding Submission and Business Plan

Congratulations to the Motor Traders Association and its Group Training Scheme on the official opening of their new apprentice training centre for heavy vehicle maintenance at Royal Park.

On the left is the “before” – the submission I wrote for the MTA back in March 2009. It won $1.359 million in Federal Government funding. The MTA matched the funding and built this new $3 million Apprentice Training Centre shown on the right – “after”. 

After - the outcome, the new MTA-GTS Workshop

Chris Evans, Federal Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations officially opened the centre today. It will be a great asset to help kickstart the careers of the many young people who train here.