[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 35 (Thursday, February 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5504-5505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Apprenticeship Powered by Industry (API) Data Collection

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor's (DOL's), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning proposed 
authority to conduct the voluntary information collection request (ICR) 
titled, ``Apprenticeship Powered by Industry (API) Data Collection.'' 
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 
April 22, 2019.

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 Carolyn Renick by telephone at 202-693-3364 (this is not a 
toll-free number), TTY 1-877-889-5627 (this is not a toll-free number), 
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 Apprenticeship, Room C-5311, 200 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210; by email: 
[email protected]; or by Fax (202) 693-3799.

[[Page 5505]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn Renick by telephone at 202-
693-3364 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
    The information collection described in this notice will provide 
data to (1) estimate the number of business establishments that 
currently operate apprenticeship and apprenticeship-like earn-and-learn 
programs across industry groups, and (2) document descriptive 
information on these existing programs. This research is in direct 
response to Executive Order 13801, ``Expanding Apprenticeships in 
America'' (www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/3245/), as well as 
the Secretary of Labor and the Office of Apprenticeship's efforts to 
promote and expand apprenticeship and to establish Industry-Recognized 
Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).
    The information collection activities include a brief five- to 10-
minute survey of businesses that will gather information on any 
existing apprenticeship and apprenticeship-like earn-and-learn programs 
they operate. In addition to the survey, the study includes follow-up 
interviews with a purposive sample of businesses identified as having 
apprenticeship-like programs through the survey. The interview protocol 
will be used to gather more detailed, in-depth information on the 
existing programs, including the types of participants they serve, the 
skills they address, the certifications they provide, as well as how 
the businesses work with organizations to accredit the programs. The 
interview protocol will also inquire about businesses' training 
decisions and experiences.
    This Federal Register Notice provides the opportunity to comment on 
these two proposed data collection instruments. Additional details on 
each are presented below.
    [ssquf] Business Survey. Researchers will field a brief five- to 
10-minute web-based survey of businesses that will gather information 
on any existing work-based learning programs they operate. Businesses 
that prefer to do so will be able to complete the survey over the 
phone.
    [ssquf] Business Follow-up Interview Protocol. Researchers will 
conduct half-hour phone interviews with a purposive sample of up to 120 
businesses identified as having apprenticeship-like programs through 
the business survey.
    Executive Order 13801, ``Expanding Apprenticeships in America'' 
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 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 1205-0NEW.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    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: New.
    Title of Collection: Apprenticeship Powered by Industry (API) Data 
Collection.
    Form: 1. Business Survey; 2. Follow-up Business Interview Protocol.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0NEW.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,840.
    Frequency: Once.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 6,840.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: Varies (Survey 6.5 minutes; 
Interview 30 minutes).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 788 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.

Molly E. Conway,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
[FR Doc. 2019-02994 Filed 2-20-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FR-P