CVGT chair Graham Fountain, who will assume executive responsibility for the company, said the board commissioned both Mercer and Pitcher Partners Consulting in the past year to advise on organisational design.

"This has been a very informed consideration of the board for more than 12 months," he said.

He said the consultants anticipated a need for change, including 'significantly different leadership', to take the company into the future. Mr Fountain said a need for more strategic leadership within the executive team was specifically identified. 

Instead of a chief executive officer, the board will seek to appoint a managing director.

Mr Fountain said the managing director would be responsible for revitalising the company's strategic plan and direction, looking at innovation and implementation of a new digital strategy as a means of client engagement, and delivering on a strategic national growth agenda in a competitive environment subject to changing government policy direction.

The company was also seeking to recruit a chief operating officer, who would be responsible for the day-to-day business operations across CVGT's programs. 

Mr Fountain said the decision was bigger than the outgoing chief executive of 26 years, Paul Green, and his deputy, John Lynch.

"This is a holistic organisational design review. This is the board having a good, long look at the future," he said. 

He said deputy chief executive officer John Lynch had announced he would be retiring in August.

Mr Fountain said the board was still discussing a finishing date with its chief executive of 26 years, Paul Green.

"We'll work with Paul in the next 24 - 48 hours on what that transition will look like," he said. 

"He is transitioning out of the organisation with a fantastic legacy."

CVGT had grown and been successful thanks to Mr Green and Mr Lynch's stewardship, Mr Fountain said. 

"This isn't a performance-based termination."

He said the independent consultants were commissioned because of changing government policy around funding services for people with disability, and CVGT's recent and expected growth. 

Staffing had swelled from 180 employees to more than 400 in the past 18 months. There was the potential it could grow again to more than 500, Mr Fountain said. 

He said the board wanted to make sure the company had a fresh set of eyes and expert advice to ensure it could deliver on tender contracts and its strategic plan.

"It's about focusing on the future and respecting the past," Mr Fountain said. 

He said the executive restructure meant the organisation was stepping up to being able to confront a changing operating environment. 

Mr Fountain said there would be no immediate changes to services for any of the company's clients.

EARLIER: THE board has taken over leadership of Bendigo-based national employment and group training services provider CVGT Australia.

Chair Graham Fountain will assume executive responsibility until a managing director is appointed.

Deputy chair Dave Richardson will serve as interim board chair.

"A future managing director of CVGT and refreshed leadership team will take us into an increasingly competitive and reshaped national employment marketplace," Mr Fountain said.

"CVGT has strong organisational foundations but this represents a new direction."

The board thanked chief executive Paul Green and deputy chief executive John Lynch for their 'unquestionable commitment and positive legacy.'

The executive restructure means the end of Mr Green's 26-year tenure at the organisation.

"CVGT would not have the strong organisational foundations and emergent national footprint that it has today without their long-standing operational leadership," Mr Fountain said.

Mr Lynch will be retiring and will be replaced by a chief operating officer. 

Recruitment efforts for the offices of both chief executive and chief operating officers are underway.

Mr Fountain attributed the leadership change to changes affecting the sector.

"Significant changes in the Disability Employment Services framework and the continued evolution of the NDIS are two areas alone which are dynamically offering up greater choices for end customer users," Mr Fountain said.

"This requires a step-up and fresh strategic approach from CVGT to better meet the needs of the future employment market."

He said the federal government's announcement of further major change to the Jobactive system reinforced the company's need to step up its future revenue, reach and impact when working with the long-term unemployed and with people with disability. 

"We believe we can do a lot more for these people to determine their own future as we truly position from a once regional to a now national player," Mr Fountain said.

"CVGT must continue to evolve to retain relevancy in order to offer a suite of services across a scaled national job network."

Mr Fountain said it was business as usual under CVGT's transitional leadership arrangements, which had been communicated to the company's customer network and government. 

CVGT places more than 8000 people into jobs, annually.

It works with people who have been unemployed long-term and with people with disabilities, in partnership with enterprises. 

CVGT primarily offers contracted government backed training and job placement services. The company operates in three states and has more than 400 employees. 

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.