"Alternatively, we have used that to our advantage when selling to the SME marketplace," Thomas said.

"If regional centres take a leaf out of the US book and invest in the infrastructure, transport links (including Airports) and so on, places like the Central Coast would boom. I was approached by the University of Newcastle discussing employment opportunities on the Central Coast and highlighted to them the need for their support in growing a greater technical competency base in the region."

Thomas said generation Y employees bring a completely new set of issues.

"We've found it very hard to keep the younger crowd as they demand unlimited opportunity and are less willing to put in the hard yards to achieve a base level competency," he said. "As a result, I have an aging work force and I'm looking at means now to attract the younger worker."