DGT Employment & Training (formerly Downs Group Training), has joined the IntoWork Australia Group, working particularly with MRAEL Ltd (MRAEL) in a move which will significantly increase the organisation’s capacity to deliver employment, skills and training services to thousands of individuals and businesses.

IntoWork Australia is now a Group of 13 related businesses operating nationally with a vision of ‘Vibrant Futures’ through its range of integrated Employment, Skills and Support services. Other businesses in the Group include AGA, MRAEL, MAS National, Kestrel, HTN, CTC, Work & Training, Interact, IntoJobs, iTFE, FindStaff and Stockdale. Started nearly 40 years ago, IntoWork now supports tens of thousands of individuals in their career and individual pathways, and many thousands of employers with a range of workforce solutions.

Founded in 1987, DGT has grown to become one of the largest employers of apprentices and trainees, and a major skills and training provider in the Toowoomba, Darling Downs and South East Brisbane region.

DGT CEO Kris McCue said the merger with the IntoWork Australia Group and close link with MRAEL will provide significant benefits for the Toowoomba region, and delivers a much more robust, competitive and sustainable business model, “DGT has trained and employed 3 generations of local tradespeople, delivered training and skills to thousands of individuals and supported local businesses to build capability and capacity. Joining with IntoWork Australia and working closely with MRAEL means DGT now has additional resources and long term security to provide services, and deliver more jobs and skills opportunities to the Toowoomba, Darling Downs and wider South East Queensland community,” Mr. McCue said.

MRAEL CEO Christine Zechowski said the move will bring new strength and opportunities to across Queensland, “As part of the IntoWork Australia Group MRAEL operates across Queensland and nationally as a well-known and respected Group Training Organisation (GTO), a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and a Senior Vocational College, as well as delivering Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) services. In an increasingly competitive environment, the synergies that this alignment with DGT creates will benefit the entire Group as well as the local communities in which we operate.”

IntoWork Australia Group CEO, Poul Bottern said he’s excited by what DGT will bring to the Group, “As a not for profit diverse group of companies, we share a common focus on creating

‘Vibrant Futures’ through consistent, quality service delivery across the country which is embedded through local relationships in local communities. This exciting step with DGT provides long term sustainability for the business and ensures local individuals and businesses can get the ongoing support they need in the ever changing external environment.’ l

DGT Chair, David Power, who will continue on the new MRAEL-DGT Board is confident that the merger with IntoWork and link with MRAEL heralds a bright future for DGT, “The potential for the further growth of DGT that this brings, means more jobs for the Toowoomba region. It is great news for DGT employees in terms of career advancement and will provide DGT staff with opportunities to work in new areas of an expanding national business.”

For more information, please visit www.intowork.com.au , www.mrael.com.au , www.dgt.org.au