NCC and Partners Launch Workforce Reentry Program

Northampton County, Northampton Community College (NCC), and the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute (LVJI) have announced a new partnership designed to prepare incarcerated individuals for successful reentry into the workforce through education, career planning, and hands-on support. 

The Pathway to Your Future Program connects participants with career exploration, job readiness training, and college credit—helping individuals build a foundation for meaningful employment after release.  

“This program is about creating real second chances,” said Tara Zrinksi, Northampton County Executive. “By equipping individuals with skills, direction, and support before they leave incarceration, we are strengthening both their futures and our regional workforce.” 

Participants engage in an immersive curriculum focused on career pathways, employability skills, financial literacy, and reentry planning. Through structured activities, they identify career interests, build resumes, practice interview skills, and develop actionable plans aligned with high-demand industries. As part of the program, NCC provides Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits in key college success and career planning courses, allowing participants to begin their higher education journey before release and continue seamlessly after reentry.  

Beyond the classroom, participants receive individualized support including academic advising, financial aid counseling, supportive groups, and connections to workforce and career services—ensuring they are not only prepared to find a job, but to build a sustainable career. The program lead facilitator is Northampton County Reentry Specialist Jennifer Siegfried. 

“Jennifer brings more than a decade of experience in corrections to her role as Northampton County’s Reentry Specialist, and that expertise is strengthening this important work every day,” Zrinski said. “Through the County’s partnership with Northampton Community College—with support from Lehigh Valley Justice Institute—we are connecting incarcerated individuals with skilled trades educators and building real pathways to employment, including opportunities to earn college credits. This is what meaningful reentry looks like, focusing on practical, collaborative, and long-term success.” 

The program also directly addresses barriers faced by individuals with a criminal record, helping participants understand employment limitations, navigate disclosure, and identify viable career opportunities in today’s job market.  

By aligning education with workforce needs, the initiative aims to reduce recidivism and strengthen the local economy. Participants leave the program with a clearer sense of purpose, practical skills, and a pathway into NCC’s workforce training and degree programs.  

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to move forward,” said President of Northampton Community College Dr. David A. Ruth. “This partnership ensures that individuals who have made mistakes still have access to education, support, and a future filled with possibility.” 

The program was developed with the support and advocacy of LVJI, whose commitment to advancing innovative approaches to criminal justice reform and workforce reentry helped bring partners together around a shared vision of education and opportunity.