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Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces Recruitment Targeting 30,000 Federal Security Workers

NCS Pearson Inc., to Assist TSA in Latest Phase of Airport Security Federalization

Washington, DC - March 4, 2002 - U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun the process of actively recruiting more than 30,000 federal security personnel to perform airport screening duties and other functions at each of the nation's commercial airports.

Joined by Under Secretary of Transportation for Security John Magaw, Secretary Mineta announced that NCS Pearson Inc. will assist in the recruitment and hiring process by providing an automated, Web-based system for the recruitment and placement of personnel. Under the terms of the $103.4 million competitively procured contract, the company will also provide on-going human resources services for these personnel deployed throughout the country.

"Today marks another major step in the recruitment and deployment of a modern, well-trained and highly qualified federal security workforce to provide world class security and customer service at airports around the country," said Secretary Mineta. "I am personally committed to ensuring that security professionals protecting our nation's travelers be highly trained, better paid and provide top-quality service."

Under the terms of the contract, NCS Pearson will:

• Post and capture security screener job applications using an automated process that is managed nationally and recruits locally to find the most qualified candidates under the stringent standards required by the TSA;
• Establish and manage multiple Assessment Center facilities for TSA physical standards, aptitude and English proficiency testing of candidates;
• Manage candidate selection: interviews, and new employee processing; and
• Provide day-to-day servicing in all areas of Human Resource support.

Those selected for these new TSA security positions must meet stringent requirements established by law. "Our goal is to hire the best and the brightest in these critical security positions to provide the highest level of security and service to the traveling public," said Under Secretary John Magaw.

The Transportation Security Administration, which has responsibility for civil aviation security, is in the process of establishing federal security operations in the nation's commercial airports. TSA will deploy federal personnel, including passenger and baggage screeners, law enforcement officers and others to all airports by Nov. 19, 2002.

NCS Pearson is a global provider of applications, services and technologies for education, testing, assessment, government and complex data management. The company is based in Eden Prairie, MN, and has more than 5,500 employees worldwide. NCS Pearson's Government Solutions business is based in Arlington, VA. NCS Pearson operates as a business of Pearson Education, the world's largest integrated education company, which in turn is part of Pearson plc, the international media and education company. For more information, visit http://www.ncs.com.