[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 105 (Thursday, June 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32377-32378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2794]



[[Page 32377]]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comments: Title 29 CFR 29, Labor 
Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs

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 pre-clearance 
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 three-year extension (without change) 
of the collection of the registered apprenticeship program data under 
Title 29 CFR Part 29 (Labor Standards for the Registration of 
Apprenticeship Programs). This request covers the period from the 
current end date of May 31, 2005 to the new end date of May 31, 2008. A 
copy of the proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section 
of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Anthony Swoope, Administrator, Office of 
Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services, 200 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Room N-5311, Washington, DC 20210; (202-693-2806--not a toll 
free number) fax: 202-693-2808 and e-mail address: 
[email protected].

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 Secretary of Education * * 
*'' (29 U.S.C. 50). Section 50a 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, 
Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor Services. These 
labor standards, policies, and procedures cover registration, 
cancellation of apprenticeship programs and 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.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting 
comments concerning the proposed three-year extension (without change) 
of the collection of the registered apprenticeship program data under 
Title 29 CFR part 29 (Labor Standards for the Registration of 
Apprenticeship Programs). This request covers the period from the 
current end date of May 31, 2005 to the new end date of May 31, 2008.
     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 by including 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.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
obtained by contacting the office listed above in the addressee section 
of this notice.

III. Current Actions

    This is a request for OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)) to extend the collection 
of the registered apprenticeship program data under Title 29 CFR Part 
29 (Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs) 
without changes. This request covers the period from the current end 
date of May 31, 2005 to the new end date of May 31, 2008.
    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 29. 
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 (without change).
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Title 29 CFR Part 29,Labor Standards for the Registration of 
Apprenticeship Programs.
    OMB Number: 1205-0223 for 29 CFR Part 29.
    Agency Number: ETA Form 671.
    Recordkeeping: Apprenticeship sponsors are required to keep 
accurate records on recruitment, selection of the applicant and/or 
apprentice, the employment and training activities related to the 
apprentice, and the qualifications of each applicant/apprentice 
pertaining to determination of compliance with the regulation. 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;

[[Page 32378]]

therefore, it is important to maintain the records for at least 5 
years.
    Burden Hours: (See Chart below.)

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                                                                                                                            Average
                                                                                                                            response     Annual burden
               Requirement                    Sec.     Total respondents           Frequency            Annual response       time           hours
                                                                                                                            (hours)
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Form 671................................         29.3            139,300  1-time basis...............            139,300    .33/spon.             34,825
                                                 29.6            139,100  1-time basis...............            139,100     .25/app.             11,545
                                                 29.5              1,700  1-time basis...............              1,700       2/spon              3,400
                                          ...........              2,900  1-time basis...............              2,900        2/SAC              5,800
                                                29.12               (31)  1-time basis...............               (31)            0                  0
                                           29.12 (accomplished in 1977; no new state agency expected in 2005)
                                                29.12                 31  1-time basis...............                 31        2/SAC                 62
                                                29.13                  0  0..........................                  0            0                  0
                                         --------------
Totals..................................  ...........            283,031  ...........................            283,031  ...........             55,632
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    Total Burden Hours: 55,632.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/start-up): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $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: Signed at Washington, DC this 25th day of May, 2005.
Anthony Swoope,
Administrator, Office of Apprenticeship Training, Employer and Labor 
Services.
[FR Doc. E5-2794 Filed 6-1-05; 8:45 am]
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