[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 7, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41183-41185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19989]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs--
Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; Comment 
Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A). This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed extension of the collection of 
information regarding registered apprenticeship programs under Title 29 
CFR Part 29 (Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship 
Programs) and Title 29 CFR Part 30 (Equal Employment Opportunity in 
Apprenticeship and Training).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 7, 1996.

[[Page 41184]]

The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which:
    * Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    * Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    * Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    * Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are asked to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

ADDRESSES: Anthony Swoope, Director, Bureau of Apprenticeship and 
Training, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room N4649, Washington, DC 20210. 
INTERNET Address: swoopeadoleta.gov Telephone number: (202) 219-5921 
(this is not a toll-free number). Fax number (202) 219-5011 (this is 
not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 authorizes and directs the 
Secretary of Labor ``to formulate and promote the furtherance of labor 
standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, to extend 
the application of such standards by encouraging the inclusion thereof 
in contracts of apprenticeship, to bring together employers and labor 
for the formulation of programs of apprenticeship, to cooperate with 
State agencies engaged in the formulation and promotion of standards of 
apprenticeship, and to cooperate with the Office of Education under the 
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare * * *.'' Section 2 of the 
Act authorizes the Secretary of Labor to ``publish information relating 
to existing and proposed labor standards of apprenticeship,'' and to 
``appoint national advisory committees * * *.'' (29 U.S.C. 50a).
    Title 29 CFR Part 29 sets forth labor standards to safeguard the 
welfare of apprentices, and to extend the application of such standards 
by prescribing policies and procedures concerning registration, for 
certain Federal purposes, of acceptable apprenticeship programs with 
the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, 
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. These labor standards, policies 
and procedures cover the registration, cancellation, and deregistration 
of apprenticeship programs and of apprenticeship agreements; the 
recognition of a State agency as the appropriate agency for registering 
local apprenticeship programs for certain Federal purposes; and matters 
relating thereto. The Employment and Training Administration is also 
soliciting comment on the utility and potential burdens of collecting 
information on employment and earnings outcomes of completed 
apprentices.
    Title 29 CFR Part 30 sets forth policies and procedures to promote 
equality of opportunity in apprenticeship programs registered with the 
U.S. Department of Labor and recognized State apprenticeship agencies. 
These policies and procedures apply to recruitment and selection of 
apprentices, and to all conditions of employment and training during 
apprenticeship. The procedures provide for review of apprenticeship 
programs, for registering apprenticeship programs, for processing 
complaints, and for deregistering noncomplying apprenticeship programs. 
This part also provides policies and procedures for continuation or 
withdrawal of recognition of State agencies which register 
apprenticeship programs for Federal purposes.

II. Current Actions

    Recordkeeping and data collection activities regarding registered 
apprenticeship are by-products of the registration system. 
Organizations which apply for apprenticeship sponsorship enter into an 
agreement with the Federal Government or cognizant State Government to 
operate their proposed programs consistent with 29 CFR Parts 29 and 30. 
Apprenticeship sponsors are not required to file reports regarding 
their apprentices other than individual registration and update 
information as an apprentice moves through their program.
    Type of Review: Extension.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Title 29 CFR Part 29, Labor Standards for the Registration 
of Apprenticeship Programs and Title 29 CFR Part 30 and Equal 
Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training.
    OMB Numbers: 1205-0223 for 29 CFR Part 29; 1205-0224 for 29 CFR 
Part 30.
    Recordkeeping: Apprenticeship sponsors are required to keep 
accurate records on the qualifications of each applicant pertaining to 
determination of compliance with these regulations. Records must be 
retained, where appropriate, regarding affirmative action plans and 
evidence that qualification standards have been validated. State 
apprenticeship councils are also obligated to keep adequate records 
pertaining to determination of compliance with these regulations. All 
of the above records are required to be maintained for 5 years. If this 
information was not required, there would be no documentation that the 
apprenticeship programs were being operated in a nondiscriminatory 
manner. Many apprenticeship programs are 4 years or more in duration; 
therefore, it is important to maintain the records for at least 5 
years.

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                                                Total                                               Total                                               
                 Section                     respondents                 Frequency                responses     Average time per response       Burden  
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                                                          Summary of Burden for 29 CFR Part 29                                                          
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Sec. 29.3................................         105,000  1-time..............................      105,000  \1/4\ hour...................       26,250
Sec. 29.6................................          99,000  1-time..............................       99,000  \1/12\ hour..................        8,250
Sec. 29.5................................           5,700  1-time..............................        5,700  2 hours......................       11,400
Sec. 29.7................................              40  1-time..............................           40  \1/12\ hour..................         3.32
Sec. 29.12...............................              30  1-time..............................  ...........  .............................  ...........
Sec. 29.13...............................  ..............  ....................................  ...........  .............................  ...........
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      Total..............................  ..............  ....................................      209,740  .............................       45,903
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[[Page 41185]]

                                                                                                                                                        
                                                          Summary of Burden for 30 CFR Part 29                                                          
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Sec. 30.3................................           4,950  1-time..............................        4,950  \1/2\ hour...................        2,475
Sec. 30.4................................             550  1-time..............................          550  1 hour.......................          550
Sec. 30.5................................           5,000  1-time/applicant....................        5,000  \1/2\ hour...................        2,500
Sec. 30.6................................              50  1-time..............................           50  5 hours......................          250
Sec. 30.8................................          44,000  1-time..............................       44,000  1 minute.....................          733
Sec. 30.8................................              30  1-time/program......................       22,000  5 minutes....................        1,833
Sec. 30.11...............................          44,000  1-time..............................       44,000  Hand-out.....................  ...........
ETA 9039.................................              30  1-time..............................           30  \1/2\ hour...................           15
Sec. 30.15...............................              30  1-time..............................    Completed  .............................  ...........
Sec. 30.19...............................              30  varies..............................  ...........  .............................  ...........
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      Total..............................  ..............  ....................................      120,530  .............................        8,356
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    Estimated Total Burden Cost: The cost of the burden to respondents 
related to 29 CFR Part 29 is $688,545 ($15.00 per hour  x  45,903 
hrs.). The cost of the burden to respondents related to 29 CFR Part 30 
is $125,340 ($15.00 per hr.  x  8,356 hrs.).
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they will also become a 
matter of public record.

    Dated: July 31, 1996.
Ronald E. Putz,
Deputy Director, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.
[FR Doc. 96-19989 Filed 8-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4501-30-M