Angus Knight Group becomes AKG and unveils a new brand.
Three new business begin operating as AKG Canada, AKG Italia and AKG Singapore.
AKG now span 300 locations in six countries bringing our important services into more communities.
AKG is constantly growing, transforming
Empowering people since 1991
2024
2023
AKG expands its UK Education offering with the acquisition of Catch22’s Apprenticeship Business.
Also in the UK, AKG acquires attitudinal and behavioural change business, Intuitive Thinking Skills supporting people recovering from addiction, managing their anger, developing resilience and important life problem management skills.
AKG buys Maximus’ Canadian, Swedish, Singaporean and Italian employment services operations, expanding the business to around 300 locations across six countries.
2022
AKG and the Career Foundation launch Careerfind in Canada
Jobfind Australia wins 12 new contracts to deliver 5 Workforce Australia programmes across 62 sites in Australia
Real Futures launches Transition to Work services and Women’s Business Second Chance Hub in Western Australia
2021
AKG celebrates 30 years of empowering over 1 million Australians. We also acquire a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Victoria called VFA.
Jobs 22 wins major contract for UK Department of Work and Pensions for their Restart Scheme. This contract covers East Central England, where we are providing intensive and tailored support to over 110,000 unemployed people.
Jobfind Sweden opens its doors
2020
AKG purchased two specialist RTOs Learning Sphere (NSW) and Learn Plus Us (UK). Angus Knight and 200+ year old UK Charity Catch22 form new company called Jobs 22 in the UK. Real Futures launches Women’s Business: Second Chance Hub with UN Women and BHP Foundation.
2019
Nyirrunggulung-RISE formed in partnership with Jawoyn Association Aboriginal Corporation, in the Northern Territory of Australia
2018
AKG partners with Life Without Barriers and starts Joblife to deliver Disability Employment Services across many states of Australia. RISE-Ngurratjuta (now RN Employment Services) formed in partnership with Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation in the Northern Territory. Two new training companies, Core Industry Training and Jigsaw Training became part of the Angus Knight Group.
2017
AKG expands the businesses into Victoria with the acquisition of Direct Recruitment. AKG buys minority shareholding in Supply Nation Certified (Majority Indigenous Owned) business Real Futures.
2013
In July, Jobfind begins delivering services under the Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP) in 6 regions in Queensland (Wellesley Islands, Western Tablelands and Kowanyama/Pormpuraaw) and the Northern Territory (Katherine, West Arnhem and Darwin Daly). Under the RJCP contract, Jobfind works with individuals, communities and local employers to help more people into jobs and build stronger communities.
2009
The Job Network program was replaced by Job Services Australia (JSA) and Jobfind becomes one of the largest providers in the country with a range of pre-employment, training, recruitment and post-employment services under contract with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) – now known as the Department of Employment and separately the Department of Education. JSA is designed to assist people into employment by working with employers, training providers and job seekers to find individuals sustainable employment and address any vocational or non-vocational barriers, as required.
Jobfind begins to deliver services under the Government’s re-launched Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program was to assist Indigenous individuals and communities to improve their economic and social well-being. This program is rolled into the Remote Jobs and Communities Program in 2013.
2007
Westpac Direct Equity Investment became a major shareholder in the Angus Knight Group in December 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Work Directions Australia (a previous Job Network service provider led by Therese Rein). The acquisition of WDA more than doubled the size of the Employment Services business and provided an increased footprint in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as a presence in Victoria.
1999
Recognising the growing interest in online learning, AKG invested in eLearning with the aim of entering the vocational education and training market. This resulted in the formation of Click2Learn (later renamed SumTotal) and the acquisition of Omni – from the ANZ Bank. These businesses formed the cornerstone for what is now the Education and Training division of the Group.
1998
The Group leveraged its experience in working with the unemployed and successfully bid for the Australian Federal Government’s Employment Services Contract (ESC) – being awarded 16 sites and becoming a foundation member of the Job Network. Over the next decade, through a number of acquisitions and successful tenders, Jobfind built a company with a national footprint as the largest private provider of workforce development in Australia.
1991
AKG was founded by Duncan Angus and Peter Knight to deliver hospitality training, at a time when governments were moving vocational training expenditure to the private sector. The Group developed innovative courses in job search training which were included as part of a government funded program to assist the unemployed in Australia.
Our first office was in Scott’s Church building in the city of Sydney and the vision was simple: to help people on their journey into work. More than training, it was about supporting their self-belief and empowering them.
Key Statistics
30
Years' experience
2000
Global employees
1,000,000
People employed around the world
Help us build solutions that work
Our team is always exploring new ideas and opportunities to build meaningful solutions with real impact. We work best co-designing with employers, local stakeholders and people with lived experience. Connect with us to explore how we can work together for change.
AKG is privileged to work in many countries across the globe. We acknowledge the traditional owners and First Nations people for all those places and recognise their connections to lands, water, sky, and community. We are dedicated to learning about local Indigenous People and culture, to sharing what we learn, and to listening and respecting Indigenous voices. We pay our respects to them, their elders and their cultures.