The Northern Territory Government says a plan to sentence dozens of prisoners to jobs at the new abattoir in Darwin's rural area will provide them with valuable training and experience.

The Australian Agricultural Company, which is building the abattoir, is investigating several options for providing work for prisoners.

The abattoir will employ up to 350 workers, and the company plans to be operating by the end of the year.

The Correctional Services Minister John Elferink says local people will have priority for jobs, and prisoners would get minimum wages after being trained, although the money will be held by the Territory to pay for their board.

"One of the great things about the Sentenced to a Job program is that it enables training to occur, so that many of these people who have no particular skills at all when they come into custody develop skills and then move into full-time work before they leave prison," he said.

He added: "The prisoners of course have to make a contribution to their ongoing welfare."