I am pleased to tell you that the NTP increases training at all levels and across all divisions of the Customs Service. Under the plan, training will be centrally funded during fiscal year 2001. The NTP not only supports training for new recruits to Customs; it covers a range of in-service training for our core occupations as well. As such, the plan represents our first step towards laying a foundation for career development programs for Customs employees.

The NTP includes the annual basic and advanced Customs Academy courses, firearms and tactics training, and leadership courses. It also sets aside special funding for each Customs office to pay for local training needs that have been identified. Finally, the plan supports ongoing funding for the Customs Tuition Program, which employees can use to attend college-level courses.

By planning at a national level, we have been able to find ways to contain costs and make training more convenient for our employees. For example, I have approved an "e-learning" initiative that when fully implemented will utilize the Internet to give employees access to computer-based-training (CBT) from their workplace. In addition, the Office of Training and Development will offer several group courses in areas that are applicable to all offices of the Customs Service, no matter their function.

Because our budget for fiscal year 2001 is still awaiting passage by the U.S. Congress, delays on certain components of the NTP will likely be necessary. Once that situation is resolved, we will move to implement the full range of new training opportunities that are designed to build a better future for Customs employees.