The Personnel Group marks 40 years

National not-for-profit The Personnel Group has kicked off its 40th anniversary celebrations in Deception Bay, marking four decades of helping people with disability find employment.

The organisation chose Deception Bay as the first stop of its national anniversary roadshow, with senior leaders visiting the local team on October 6 to reflect on its history and future.

The Personnel Group Chief Executive Officer John Gibbons said the organisation’s approach to employment had stood the test of time.

“Finding someone a real job and backing them in it was a big call in 1986,” John said.

Established in Albury-Wodonga in 1986 as Project Employment, the organisation was one of ten federally funded pilot projects helping people with disability move from sheltered workshops into mainstream employment.

According to The Personnel Group, it is the only one of those original projects still operating.

Its approach, known as ‘place and train’, focuses on finding people employment first, then providing support in the workplace until they can manage independently.

The organisation has since grown to around 400 staff working across more than 100 Australian communities, expanding its services to include recruitment, health and community support.

The Personnel Group entered Queensland in November 2025 through the Inclusive Employment Australia program, establishing a team in Deception Bay.

The local team has helped 65 jobseekers gain employment and developed relationships with 20 schools across the region to support students transitioning into the workforce.

Deception Bay Employment Services Manager Jill Nash said the anniversary visit had given the team an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s history.

“We’ve been part of The Personnel Group for less than a year, so hearing where it all started meant a lot to the team,” Jill said.

“Place and train is really what we do every day. We get to know each customer as a person, find the right job, and stay with them once they’ve started.”

The team also works closely with local employers, providing ongoing support to help people remain in work.

During the anniversary visit, staff discussed opportunities for the organisation’s next five years, including potential social enterprises to create local jobs and expanding health and community services into Queensland.

The national roadshow will continue across The Personnel Group’s locations before a flagship anniversary event at HotHouse Theatre in Wodonga on November 5.

The event will bring together the organisation’s three chief executives from the past four decades and will be livestreamed for staff, customers and communities, including those in Moreton Bay.