[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24501-24502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11462]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Pre-
Apprenticeship--Pathways to Success

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA), is soliciting comments concerning a proposed 
extension for the authority to conduct the information collection 
request (ICR) titled, ``Pre-Apprenticeship--Pathways to Success.'' This 
comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce 
paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).

DATES: Consideration will be given to all written comments received by 
July 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation; 
including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free by 
contacting Amy Firestone by telephone at 202-693-3998, TTY at 1-877-
889-5627, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at 
[email protected].
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training 
Administration, Office of Apprenticeship, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Room C-5321, Washington, DC 20210; by email: [email protected]; or 
by Fax 202-693-3799.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Contact Amy Firestone by telephone at 
202-693-3998 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOL, as part of continuing efforts to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of 
information before submitting them to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for final approval. This program helps to ensure 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 can be properly 
assessed.

I. Background

    Through a variety of approaches, pre-apprenticeship programs can be 
adapted to meet the needs to train different populations, the various 
employers and other sponsors they serve, and the specific opportunities 
available in the local labor market. The online database of quality 
pre-apprenticeship programs provides a valuable tool for job seekers, 
apprenticeship programs, and American Job Centers' front line staff. A 
dedicated database provides a way for job seekers and apprenticeship 
programs to access pre-apprenticeship programs that meet the 
requirements outlined in Training and Employment Notice (TEN) 13-12: 
``Defining a Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program and Related Tools and 
Resources.'' The ``Pre-apprenticeship--Pathways to Success'' database 
enables ETA to identify pre-apprenticeship programs that meet the 
``quality pre-apprenticeship'' definition and the quality framework 
criteria. Even more importantly, a national database of pre-
apprenticeship programs facilitates connections between pre-
apprenticeship program participants and apprenticeship programs, 
resulting in expanded opportunities. This voluntary data is collected 
using an online form.
    The public seeking information about pre-apprenticeship programs 
goes to a map on a website, chooses a state, and views information 
about the location of pre-apprenticeship programs, including general 
descriptions of the services and training they provide. ETA is 
proposing an extension for the authority to conduct the information 
collection ``Pre-Apprenticeship--Pathways to Success,'' to continue to 
utilize the database and make updates to the online form. During the 
past several years, ETA has worked to expand pre-apprenticeships and 
apprenticeships with new companies in high demand industries. The 
collection instrument is adding several questions to reflect the 
expansion of the apprenticeship system as outlined in the 2017 
Presidential Executive Order ``Expanding Apprenticeships in America'' 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/3245/, particularly 
incorporating secondary and post-secondary institutions as potential 
providers of pre-apprenticeship programs.
    The current online form does not contain questions on new types of 
programs and their employer and educational institution partners. This 
data is instrumental in helping expand the functionality and usage of 
the database.
    The National Apprenticeship Act of 1937, (subsequently referred to 
as ``the Act'') Section 50 (29 U.S.C. 50), 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 formulating programs of apprenticeship, to cooperate with State 
Apprenticeship Agencies (SAAs) engaged in formulating and promoting 
standards of apprenticeship, and to cooperate with the Secretary of 
Education in accordance with Section 17 of Title 20. 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). The 
administration of the system is guided by Title 29 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), part 29, regulations that were updated in 2008 to 
address the 21st century workforce needs as well as enhance 
accountability of the recognized SAAs.
    The DOL authorizes this information collection. This information 
collection is subject to the PRA. A Federal agency generally cannot 
conduct or sponsor a collection of information, and the public is 
generally not required to respond to an information collection, unless 
it is approved by the OMB under the PRA and displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number. In addition, notwithstanding any other provisions 
of law, no person shall generally be subject to penalty for failing to 
comply with a collection of information that does not display a valid 
Control Number. See 5 CFR 1320.5(a) and 1320.6.
    Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments to the 
contact shown in the ADDRESSES section. Comments must be written to 
receive consideration, and they will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval of the final ICR. In order to help ensure 
appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB control number 
1205-0520.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages

[[Page 24502]]

commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    The DOL is particularly interested in comments that:
     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 submission of responses.
    Agency: DOL-ETA.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Title of Collection: Pre-Apprenticeship--Pathways to Success.
    Form: Pre-Apprenticeship--Contact and Program Information.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0520.
    Affected Public: Private sector (businesses or other for-profits 
and not-for-profit institutions), secondary and post-secondary 
institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 100.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 21 minutes per entry.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 43 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $763.

Rosemary Lahasky,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Employment and Training 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-11462 Filed 5-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-FR-P