Department of Corrections and CDU TAFE staff with their Industry Collaboration recognition at the 2026 NT Training Awards. Photo: Northern Territory Government.
The Northern Territory’s Department of Corrections and Charles Darwin University (CDU) TAFE have been recognised with the Industry Collaboration accolade at the 2026 Northern Territory Training Awards.
The award recognises and celebrates a partnership that helps prisoners build skills, gain new qualifications and prepare for work after release.
The partnership involves CDU TAFE trainers, industry officers, prisoner education teams and correctional staff finding skill gaps, developing training systems and forging pathways to employment.
“Programs focused on construction, hospitality, horticulture and barbering training are equipping participants with practical skills that employers need right across the Territory,” Minister for Corrections Gerard Maley said.
“I want to congratulate our excellent staff in the Department of Corrections, as well as CDU TAFE, for their commitment and success in strengthening employment pathways and increasing program participation.”
There have been 2045 prisoner enrolments since the partnership began in 2024, with an average completion rate of 83 per cent, 1538 short courses and skill sets finished, and a further 72 full qualifications obtained.
Another example of the partnership is the barbering program at Alice Springs Correctional Centre, which has graduated 17 people since June, with 40 on the waitlist.
Other programs cover NT White Card eligibility, food-handling skills, forklift licensing, and barista training.
Deputy Commissioner Adult Operations Kymberley McKay said: “At its heart, this partnership is about using time in custody productively and helping people build the skills, confidence and workplace behaviours needed to succeed after release.
“This award recognises a collaboration that has moved well beyond a traditional training arrangement. It brings education, correctional operations and prisoner industries together to create meaningful opportunities for prisoners.”
The Department of Corrections and CDU TAFE collaboration is now in the running for nationwide recognition at the Australia Training Awards in November.
