[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 62 (Monday, March 31, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16912-16914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6549]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Proposed Information Collection for Workforce Innovation in 
Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative Evaluation; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

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

[[Page 16913]]

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 on a new data collection for the 
Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) 
Initiative Evaluation.
    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 by accessing: http://www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/OMBControlNumber.cfm.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee's section below on or before May 30, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Employment and Training 
Administration, Room N-5641, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20210, Attention: Eileen Pederson Telephone number: 202-693-3647 
(this is not a toll-free number). Fax: 202-693-2766. E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In February 2006, under authority of section 414 of the American 
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, the Employment 
and Training Administration (ETA) awarded grants to 13 regions across 
the United States to support community efforts to link their varied 
knowledge resources with their business and innovation assets, and to 
ensure that their workforces have the skills and knowledge required to 
work effectively in new and emerging industries. In addition to grant 
funds, each of these grantees, collectively known as Generation I 
regions, is also eligible to receive access to ongoing technical 
assistance provided directly and indirectly from ETA. At the same time 
that these grants were awarded, ETA selected another 13 regions to 
receive $100,000 to support their participation in peer-to-peer grantee 
conferences (known as WIRED Academies) and other learning 
opportunities. In early 2007, ETA increased the funds awarded to these 
regions, at which time they became known as the Generation II regions. 
Finally, in June 2007, ETA awarded grants to 13 more regions, known as 
the Generation III regions.
    The WIRED Initiative focuses on labor market areas that are 
comprised of multiple jurisdictions within states or across state 
borders. It supports innovative approaches to workforce development, 
training and education that go beyond traditional strategies for 
preparing workers to compete and succeed both within the United States 
and globally. Through the initiative and with support and guidance from 
their state Governors, WIRED regions have a unique opportunity to 
design and implement strategic approaches for coordinated regional 
economic development and job growth. For the grant awards, ETA selected 
regions that demonstrated the presence of labor market elements 
(unemployment, low-wages, low levels of new job creation) and economic 
conditions (such as industries that are declining or industries 
targeted for growth) that are driving the need for transformation. In 
addition, each grant recipient described how the region will: Implement 
new strategic efforts designed to drive integration among workforce, 
economic development and education systems; promote innovation in 
addressing challenges; and utilize and build upon existing structures, 
resources and legislatively-funded programs. Finally, each region 
outlined the presence of a strategic partnership that is representative 
of the entire economic region and is comprised of a strong team of 
regional leaders which will lead the regional transformation.
    This data collection covers qualitative information to be obtained 
through on-site, unstructured interviews with representatives in each 
WIRED region. Data to be collected includes information regarding the 
regional context, goals, planning, structure, partnerships, 
collaboration, activities, funding, challenges, innovations, approaches 
for measuring success, and sustainability.

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

    Type of Review: New.
    Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
    Title: Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development 
(WIRED) Initiative Evaluation.
    OMB Number: 1205-0NEW.
    Record Keeping: NA.
    Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; business or 
other for-profit; and not-for-profit institutions.
    Total Respondents: Approximately 2,400.
    Frequency: The unstructured interviews will be conducted annually, 
for two years, per Generation of regions, per following table.

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                                                                                   Average time
        Year               Group of regions          Number of         Total       per response    Annual burden
                                                    respondents      responses         (min)           (hrs)
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2008................  Generation 1..............             800             800              45             600
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2009................  Generation 1..............             800             800              45           1,800
                      Generation 2..............             800             800              45  ..............
                      Generation 3..............             800             800              45  ..............
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2010................  Generation 2..............             800             800              45           1,200
                      Generation 3..............             800             800              45  ..............
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    3 year Total................................           4,800           4,800  ..............           3,600
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    Total Annual Responses: An average of approximately 1,600.
    Average Time per Response: 45 minutes per interview.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: The total annual burden hours is 
estimated to be 1,200 hours.
    Total Burden Cost: Varies per year, per following table.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Annual burden   Average cost    Annual burden
               Year                       Group of regions             (hrs)         per hour          cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008..............................  Generation 1................             600             $36         $21,600
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2009..............................  Generation 1................             600              36          64,800
                                    Generation 2................             600              36  ..............
                                    Generation 3................             600              36  ..............
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2010..............................  Generation 2................             600              36          43,200
                                    Generation 3................             600              36  ..............
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    Total.........................  ............................           3,600  ..............         129,600
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    The cost to regional representatives to participate in the 
unstructured interviews, based on an annual average salary of $75,000 
per representative, is approximately $129,600.
    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: March 26, 2008.
Thomas M. Dowd,
Administrator, Office of Policy Development and Research, Employment 
and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-6549 Filed 3-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P