The Department of Children and Families is celebrating a major achievement after its partnership with Charles Darwin University (CDU) was awarded the 2025 NT Training Awards Industry Collaboration Award this month.
The award recognised the creation of a structured education-to-community services pathway - a program designed to grow and strengthen the Territory's own workforce. By supporting local staff to upskill and transition into frontline roles, the initiative contributes to building a strong, skilled child, youth and family services sector across the Northern Territory.
This initiative empowers staff in administrative or non-frontline roles to transition into frontline positions through a structured, accredited learning pathway which ensures that workers gain both practical experience and academic knowledge, enabling them to provide high-quality support to children and families across the Northern Territory.
Currently, 24 staff are enrolled in the pathway, undertaking either the Diploma of Children and Families or the Graduate Certificate of Safe Communities. Significantly, 15 of these students identify as Aboriginal, reflecting the department's commitment to building and supporting an Aboriginal workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Department of Children and Families Acting Chief Executive Officer, Raelene Burke, said the award highlighted the department's commitment to investing in its workforce.
"The award marks an important milestone in strengthening the Territory's community services workforce and demonstrates the value of government-university collaboration in building stronger, safer communities.
"This collaboration with CDU is about building the capability and confidence of our people so they can make the biggest difference possible in the lives of children and families.
"The program creates a clear learning pathway, from induction through to advanced study, and ensures our staff are supported to take on further education while continuing their vital frontline work. I'm proud of the Professional Training and Development team for their leadership, and of the staff who have taken up this opportunity to grow."
CDU Lecturer in Community Services, Tanya McDonald, said the partnership had been particularly rewarding: "This experience has been a powerful reminder of the value of cross-departmental collaboration, where knowledge is not only shared in the classroom, but meaningfully applied back into their fields of work and the communities they serve. Students' unwavering commitment to their work - and especially to the wellbeing of children - continues to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of the Territory's young people."
CDU Lecturer in Health and Community Services, Helen Bodhi, added: "The purpose of this program is to support students to build confidence and apply practical skills that make a real difference in the lives of children, young people and families."
Student Emma Bell, a Team Leader with DCF Family and Youth Support Team in Alice Springs said completing the course had been transformative for her professional growth.
"I am really passionate about supporting young people and completing this course has enabled to grow as a team leader and further develop my skills."
The win was announced at the NT Training Awards Gala Dinner on 13 September 2025.
