Department of Corrections

Industries, skills and employment initiative

Industries, skills and employment (ISE) initiative is a 3-year plan to reduce reoffending and strengthen community safety by transforming time in custody into pathways for education, skills, training, and real employment.

By supporting prisoners and offenders to prepare for work and sustain employment, ISE delivers on the NT Government’s Crime Reduction Strategy and commitment to restore community safety, reduce recidivism, and rebuild the Territory economy.

Why it matters

  • People who find stable work after leaving prison are far less likely to reoffend.
  • Education and training provide the skills and confidence offenders need to succeed.
  • Industry partnerships create real jobs that fill skill shortages in the NT.
  • Stronger rehabilitation pathways mean fewer victims, safer streets, and reduced prison costs.

What it involves

Read about the programs and pathways below.

Sentenced to a Job (S2AJ) 2.0

A 4-stage case-managed model that supports offenders from prison into sustained employment.

  1. Work Ready – building workplace skills inside prison.
  2. Release Ready – intensive pre-release preparation.
  3. Job Ready – immediate post-release support and paid employment.
  4. Community Ready – up to 12 months mentoring to maintain work success.

This program provides employers with a motivated, supervised workforce while helping participants transition into long-term employment.

To learn more and get involved with S2AJ, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

Sentenced to a Skill

A modernised education and training pipeline designed to prepare people for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

  • In-cell digital learning through the Prisoner In-cell Learning System (PILS).
  • Literacy, language and numeracy programs.
  • Accredited vocational training with Charles Darwin University and other registered training organisations.
  • Pathways tailored for women, men, youth, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and remote communities.

Community and bail to employment pathways

  • Community to employment: targeted 10 to 12 week industry training programs linked directly to real jobs.
  • Bail to employment: practical work pathways for people on bail, helping them to engage early in training and employment.

Government investment

The NT Government is backing ISE with significant investment:

  • $2.1 million committed in 2025 to expand prisoner education, training, and employment programs (bringing forward planned 2026 investment).
  • Partnerships with the Commonwealth REAL Program (formerly TWES) to boost post-release employment support.
  • Establishing the Adult Prisoner Employment Alliance with Aboriginal organisations, NT businesses, and industry to strengthen long-term job opportunities.

This investment ensures targeted programs for high-need cohorts, including women, youth, CALD participants, and remote Aboriginal communities.

Benefits for the Territory

  • Safer communities – reducing repeat offending and victimisation.
  • Stronger workforce – filling skill shortages in hospitality, construction, land care, retail, automotive and more.
  • Reduced prison costs – by lowering recidivism and strengthening reintegration outcomes.
  • Inclusive partnerships – with Aboriginal organisations, non-government organisations, businesses, and training providers.