[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 233 (Friday, December 4, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 67145-67146] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-32254] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 the information regarding registered apprenticeship programs under Title 29 CFR Part 30 (Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training). DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before February 2, 1999. 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 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 4649, Washington, DC, 20210; E-mail Internet address: [email protected]; 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 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. [[Page 67146]] 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 Part 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: 29 CFR Part 30, Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training. OMB Number: 1205-0224. Agency Number: ETA 9039. 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 five 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total Average time Section respondents Frequency responses per response Burden ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of Burden for 30 CFR Part 29 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sec. 30.3.................... 112 1-time......... 112............ \1/2\ hour..... 56 Sec. 30.4.................... 1,336 1-time......... 1,336.......... 1 hour......... 1,336 Sec.30.5..................... 3,964 1-time basis/ 3,964.......... \1/2\ hour..... 1,982 applicant. Sec. 30.6.................... 50 1-time......... 50............. 5 hours........ 250 Sec. 30.8.................... 41,480 1-time......... 41,480......... 1 minute....... 691 Sec. 30.8.................... 30 1-time/program. 20,740......... 5 minutes...... 1,728 Sec. 30.11................... 41,480 1-time......... 41,480......... Hand-out....... .............. ETA 9039..................... 50 1-time......... 50............. \1/2\ hour..... 25 Sec. 30.15................... 30 1-time......... Completed...... ............... .............. Sec. 30.19................... 30 varies......... ............... ............... .............. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total.................... .............. ............... 109,212........ ............... 6,068 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Burden Cost (Capital/Start-up) = 0. Total Burden Cost (Operation/Maintenance) = 0. 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: November 30, 1998. Anthony Swoope, Director, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. [FR Doc. 98-32254 Filed 12-3-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-30-P