[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1789-1790]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00394]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor's (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 
March 14, 2022.

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 Natalie Linton by telephone at 202-693-3592 (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, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW, Room N-5321, Washington, DC 20210; by email: 
[email protected]; or by fax: 202-693-3592.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natalie Linton by telephone at 202-
693-3592 (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 National Apprenticeship Act of 1937, as amended (29 
U.S.C. 50), authorizes this information collection.
    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. Additionally, OA removed approximately ten (10) questions 
to streamline the instrument. During the past several years, ETA has 
worked to expand pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships with new 
companies in high demand industries.
    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.
    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 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. 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:

[[Page 1790]]

     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: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 43 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.

Angela Hanks,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2022-00394 Filed 1-11-22; 8:45 am]
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