Our history

Careers Development Group (CDG) was initially established as Wandsworth Training Agency in 1982. Youth training, funded by government and Wandsworth Borough Council, was the main focus. This focus changed in 1989 when CDG started to deliver Employment Services Contracts, then known as "job clubs", which eventually became programme centres. This work also included executive job clubs for managers.

By the late 1990s changes in Government thinking towards the welfare to work agenda led to the further development of CDG. In 1998, CDG became a New Deal Provider. Main contracts held with Jobcentre Plus and Trading Enterprise Councils including AZTEC, SETEC and North London TEC, teaching basic skills and youth training.

CDG entered the new century with a major expansion with New Deal Contracts. These were pan-London, alongside expansion into Northamptonshire. Specialist provision also started with ESOL (English for speakers of other languages), Job Brokerage and ESF training at Heathrow airport.

2006 saw further massive growth when CDG won four New Deal Prime Contracts plus ESF in the East of England, working in partnership with other providers.

CDG is now one of the leading welfare to work charities, with some 300 staff and working with over 26,000 customers a year.