[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39130-39131]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16930]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; State 
Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) Grants Research Study

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a new request 
for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) 
titled, ``State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) Grants Research Study.'' 
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 
October 9, 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 Gloribel Nieves-Cartagena by telephone at (202) 693-2771, 
TTY 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 the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and 
Training Administration, Office of Policy Development and Research, 
Room N-5641, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; by 
email: [email protected]; or by Fax at (202) 693-2766.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloribel Nieves-Cartagena by telephone 
at (202) 693-2771, TYY 1-877-889-5627 (these are not toll-free numbers) 
or by email at [email protected].

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


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DOL, 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 before submitting them to the OMB for final 
approval. 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.
    The information collection activities described in this notice will 
provide data for a qualitative study of Apprenticeship SAE grants and 
related apprenticeship expansion activities.
    Through grant and contract vehicles, DOL is seeking to expand 
opportunities related to Registered Apprenticeships, expand programs to 
new industries and occupations, increase the number of apprentices, and 
to promote the diversity and inclusion of apprentices.

[[Page 39131]]

    First, in September 2016, DOL awarded $20.4 million through 10 
National Industry Partner contracts and four National Equity Partner 
contracts to increase apprenticeships in particular industries and 
focus on diversity and inclusion in apprenticeships, respectively. In 
November 2016, DOL awarded a total of $50.5 million in grants to 36 
states and one territory to expand apprenticeships throughout the 
country. In 2017, 10 contracts were renewed for a second contract year.
    This information collection covers an evaluation study, which will 
address six key research questions related to the SAE grants and 
national industry and equity partner contracts: (1) How are grantees' 
and contractors' implementation activities progressing around efforts 
to drive apprenticeship expansion and diversity, (2) What partnerships 
have been developed as a result of these activities, (3) What factors 
have affected implementation, (4) How are funds being used, (5) What 
state policies exist or are in development to support expansion, and 
(6) What promising models or lessons have emerged? In addition, through 
a national survey of states and U.S. territories, the study will 
address the question: What is the current status of states' efforts to 
grow apprenticeship programs and opportunities?
    The National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50) 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 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 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 final ICR. In order to help ensure 
appropriate consideration, comments should mention control number 1205-
XXXX.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet without redaction. The DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable 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 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: NEW.
    Title of Collection: State Apprenticeship Expansion (SAE) Grants 
Research Study.
    Forms: 1. State Apprenticeship Expansion Grant administrator 
protocol; 2. National Industry Partner contractor protocol; 3. National 
Equity Partner contractor protocol; and 4. State Registered 
Apprenticeship administrator survey.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-XXXX.
    Affected Public: Staff of state government agencies, for-profit 
entities, and not-for-profit entities. ``Respondent groups identified 
include (1) administrators of State apprenticeship expansion grants, 
(2) representatives for industry and equity partner contracts, and (3) 
State Registered Apprenticeship staff.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 95.
    Frequency: Once.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 48.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: Varies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 55.
    Estimated Total Annual Other Cost Burden: $1,873.85.

Rosemary Lahasky,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-16930 Filed 8-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-FT-P