[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43038-43040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19423]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; Evaluation of the American Apprenticeship 
Initiative

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Chief Evaluation 
Office, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Information Collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), 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). 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 is properly assessed.
    Currently, the Department of Labor is soliciting comments 
concerning the collection of data on the Evaluation of the American 
Apprenticeship Initiative. 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: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before November 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either one of the following 
methods:
    Email: [email protected]; Mail or Courier: Janet Javar, 
Chief Evaluation Office, OASP, U.S. Department of Labor, Room S-2312, 
200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. Instructions: Please 
submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All submissions 
received must include the agency name and OMB Control Number identified 
above for this information collection. Because we continue to 
experience delays in receiving mail in the Washington, DC area, 
commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit their comments 
electronically via email or to submit them by mail early. Comments, 
including any personal information provided, become a matter of public 
record. They will also be summarized and/or included in the request for 
OMB approval of the information collection request.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Javar by email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    I. Background: The American Apprenticeship Initiative awarded funds 
to 46 grantees to support the expansion of quality and innovative 
apprenticeship training programs. The Department of Labor is sponsoring 
an evaluation of this initiative that includes the following four 
components:
    1. An implementation study to describe how grant programs develop,

[[Page 43039]]

operate and mature. It will examine the context in which the programs 
operate, the target group and recruitment strategies, employer 
perceptions of apprenticeship, partnerships, and training strategies.
    2. An outcomes study to examine in-program and post-program 
outcomes of apprentices, particularly around employment, earnings, 
wages, and employment retention, as well as pre-intervention and post-
intervention certification and credential attainment. Particular 
attention will be given to outcomes for underrepresented populations in 
apprenticeship.
    3. A return on investment study to estimate the benefits and costs 
of apprenticeship to employers.
    4. A demonstration study to examine which recruitment methods and 
marketing strategies most successfully encourage employers to offer 
apprenticeships.
    This Federal Register Notice provides the opportunity to comment on 
proposed data collection instruments that will be used in the 
evaluation:
     Site visits. To support the implementation study, site 
visits will document the program context, program organization and 
staffing, the components of apprenticeship programs, and other relevant 
aspects of apprenticeship programs. During the visits, site teams will 
interview key grantee administrators, program staff, employers, 
training providers, and other key stakeholders using discussion guides.
     Grantee survey. To support the implementation study, an 
on-line survey will be administered to all 46 grantees for the purpose 
of systematically documenting program operations and the type of 
services provided across the study sites.
     Demonstration management information system (MIS). To 
support the demonstration study, the MIS will collect information on 
grantees' marketing and outreach activities to employers.
    A future information collection request will include an employer 
survey and participant survey.
    II. Desired Focus of Comments: Currently, the Department of Labor 
is soliciting comments concerning the above data collection for the 
Evaluation of the American Apprenticeship Initiative. DOL is 
particularly interested in comments that do the following:
     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.
     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--for example, 
permitting electronic submission of responses.
    III. Current Actions: At this time, the Department of Labor is 
requesting clearance for the implementation study site visits, grantee 
survey, and demonstration management information system (MIS).
    Type of Review: New information collection request.
    OMB Control Number: 1290-0NEW.
    Affected Public: American Apprenticeship Initiative grantee staff 
and grantee partners involved in providing apprenticeship-related 
services through the grant.

                                                              Estimated Total Burden Hours
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                                                                                                              Average
                                                           Total number   Annual  number     Number of      burden time       Annual         Estimated
                       Instrument                           respondents         of         responses per   per response      estimated     total burden
                                                                            respondents     respondent        (hours)         burden          (hours)
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Interview Protocol--Grant Director......................              10            3.33               2               2           13.33              40
Interview Protocol--Grantee staff.......................              20            6.67               2               1           13.33              40
Interview Protocol--Community College Leadership........              10            3.33               2               1            6.67              20
Interview Protocol--Community College Instructors.......              20            6.67               2               1           13.33              40
Interview Protocol--Employer Partners...................              20            6.67               2               1           13.33              40
Interview Protocol--Workforce Development partners......              20            6.67               2               1           13.33              40
Interview Protocol--CFBOs, Social Service Partners......              10            3.33               2               1            6.67              20
Interview Protocol--Union Representatives...............              10            3.33               2               1            6.67              20
Grantee Survey..........................................            * 41           13.67               1               4           54.67             164
MIS Data Entry--Grantee Supervisor......................             200           66.67               2             .25           33.33             100
MIS Data Entry--Grantee Staff...........................             800          266.67               6             .25             400            1200
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    Total...............................................  ..............  ..............  ..............  ..............          574.66            1724
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* 46 grantees with an estimated 90% response rate.


[[Page 43040]]

    Comments submitted in response to this 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: August 31, 2017.
Molly Irwin,
Chief Evaluation Officer, U.S. Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. 2017-19423 Filed 9-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-HX-P