[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42128-42129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11851]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Proposed Collection; 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 data collection for 
the Evaluation of the Individual Training Account Experiment (1205-
0441, expires October 31, 2006). 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 or at this Web 
site: http://www.doleta.gov/Performance/guidance/OMBControlNumber.cfm.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before September 25, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Janet Javar, Office of Policy Development and Research, 
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room 
N-5637, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20210. Phone (202) 
693-3677 (this is not a toll-free number), fax (202) 693-3584, or e-
mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  I. Background: The Individual Training 
Account (ITA) experiment is designed to test different approaches to 
managing customer choice in the administration of Individual Training 
Accounts (ITAs). Established under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) 
of 1998, ITAs are intended to empower U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) 
customers to choose the training services they need.
    WIA allows state and local offices a great deal of flexibility in 
deciding how much guidance and financial support they will provide to 
ITA recipients. The ITA experiment tests three approaches that differ 
widely in both the resources made available to customers and the 
involvement of local counselors to guide customer choice. The three ITA 
approaches range from a highly structured model to a pure voucher 
model:
     In Approach 1, local counselors steer their customers to 
training that is expected to yield a high return (in the form of 
increased earnings) relative to the resources invested in training. 
Moreover, counselors can approve or disapprove customers' program 
selections and set the value of the ITA to fund approved selections.
     In Approach 2, customers receive a fixed ITA award. Local 
counselors then help customers select training that seems appropriate 
and feasible, given customers' skills and their fixed ITA awards and 
other financial resources they have available to pay for training.
     In Approach 3, customers are offered a fixed ITA award, 
but they are allowed to choose any state-approved training option and 
to formulate their program selections independently if they so desire.


[[Page 42129]]


Each of the local sites that participated in the study operated all 
three of these ITA approaches. Local customers that were determined 
eligible for an ITA were randomly assigned to one of the approaches.
    The evaluation of the ITA experiment includes an analysis of the 
implementation and operation of the three ITA approaches, based on data 
collected during three rounds of visits to the six sites participating 
in the experiment. The evaluation also consists of an analysis of 
customer outcomes and the returns on the investment in training. This 
analysis will focus on the differences in customer outcomes, such as 
training choices, employment, and earnings, generated by the three ITA 
approaches.
    II. Review Focus: 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.
    III. Current Actions: This is a notice to extend the collection 
period that is currently approved by OMB (1205-0446 expires October 31, 
2006).
    The follow-up survey will collect data items unavailable from 
administrative records. It will provide more detailed information on 
training and employment outcomes than UI wage records and more detailed 
information on household composition and other demographic 
characteristics. The follow-up survey will be the only source for data 
on: perceptions of and attitudes toward the services and levels of 
customer choice provided by each ITA approach, job search behavior 
after random assignment, and characteristics of post-training jobs.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Evaluation of the Individual Training Account Experiment
    OMB Number: 1205-0441.
    Affected Public: Individuals of households.
    Total Respondents: 3,840.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,920.

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                                     Total                           Average time per
        Cite/reference            respondents        Frequency           response                Burden
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ITA Follow-up survey..........           3,840  One time..........  30 min............  1,920 hours.
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    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $0.
    Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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 19, 2006.
Maria K. Flynn,
Administrator, Office of Policy Development and Research.
 [FR Doc. E6-11851 Filed 7-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P