[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66902-66903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21192]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Department of Labor-Only Performance Accountability

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, DOL-only Performance Accountability, Information, 
and Reporting. 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 
November 27, 2023.

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 Kellen Grode by telephone at (202) 693-3534 (this is not a 
toll-free number), TTY 1-877-889-5627, 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, 200 
Constitution Ave. NW, Room N-5641, Washington, DC 20210; by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kellen Grode by telephone at (202) 
693-3534, (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

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.
    Section 116 of WIOA (29 U.S.C. 3141) authorizes this information 
collection. The Department of Labor's (DOL)'s Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) developed the (Program) Performance Report (ETA-
9173) and the Pay-for-Performance Report (ETA-9174) to facilitate State 
performance reporting. In order to collect the participant level data 
that will be aggregated and displayed in the

[[Page 66903]]

(Program) Performance Report (ETA-9173) quarterly and the Pay-for-
Performance Report (ETA-9174) annual reports, States will use a 
standardized individual record file for program participants, called 
the DOL Participant Individual Record Layout (PIRL, ETA-9172). The PIRL 
provides a standardized set of data elements, definitions, and 
reporting instructions that will be used to describe the 
characteristics, activities, and outcomes of WIOA and DOL partner 
program participants. States and grantees will be required to collect 
participant information that corresponds with the data elements and 
descriptions delineated within the PIRL. Once collected, this 
information will then be aggregated according to the conditions 
outlined in the specifications found within the Program Performance 
Report spreadsheet. This document details the common data elements and 
technical specifications necessary for calculation of reporting 
elements under all the DOL programs listed in the paragraph below. Once 
aggregated, the outcomes of the PIRL data will be submitted by the 
States and grantees to ETA and then displayed according to the 
framework within the (Program) Performance Report. Each program 
mentioned in this supporting statement will generate a program specific 
report that mirrors the construct of the (Program) Performance Report. 
DOL requires States and grantees to certify and submit the (Program) 
Performance Report to ETA on a quarterly basis.
    This ICR is the product of a joint effort among the DOL offices 
that administer the following programs: WIOA Adult, WIOA Dislocated 
Worker, WIOA Youth, National Dislocated Worker Grants, Dislocated 
Worker Projects authorized under WIOA sec. 169(c), Wagner-Peyser 
Employment Service, National Farmworker Jobs Program, Job Corps, 
YouthBuild, Indian and Native American Program, as well as non-WIOA 
covered programs, including Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), REO, H-
1B discretionary grants, Senior Community Service Employment Program 
(SCSEP), Apprenticeship grants, and the Jobs for Veterans' State Grants 
Programs. While H-1B grants, TAA, SCSEP, Apprenticeship grants and the 
REO programs are not authorized under WIOA, these programs utilize the 
data element definitions and reporting templates in this ICR.
    The accuracy, reliability, and comparability of program reports 
submitted by States and grantees using Federal funds are fundamental 
elements of good public administration and are necessary tools for 
maintaining and demonstrating system integrity. The use of a standard 
set of data elements, definitions, and specifications at all levels of 
the workforce system helps states to coordinate funding and leverage 
resources available to create a more efficient and effective system to 
improve the quality of the performance information that is received by 
DOL.
    The set of primary indicators of performance represents the key 
results that ETA strives to achieve for their customers, and that ETA 
and Congress are interested in measuring. Using this set of primary 
indicators affords ETA the ability to describe, in a similar manner, 
the core purposes of the workforce system--through the program services 
received, how many people found jobs; what were their earnings; and 
what skill gains they achieved. They are an integral part of ETA's 
performance accountability system, and through the Workforce 
Performance Accountability, Information, and Reporting System, ETA will 
continue to collect from States and grantees the data on program 
activities, participants, and outcomes that are necessary for program 
management and to convey full and accurate information on the 
performance of workforce programs to policymakers and stakeholders.
    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 DOL Only 1205-0521
    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: Revision.
    Title of Collection: DOL-Only Performance Accountability, 
Information, and Reporting System.
    Forms: DOL Participant Individual Record Layout (PIRL, ETA-9172); 
(Program). Performance Report (ETA-9173); Pay-for Performance Report 
(ETA-9174).
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0521.
    Affected Public: State, local, and Tribal governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 17,583,750.
    Frequency: Varies.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 41,064,037.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: Varies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 10,459,627.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $355,854,278.39.
    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

Brent Parton,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, 
Labor.
[FR Doc. 2023-21192 Filed 9-27-23; 8:45 am]
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