[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53645-53646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14038]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; 
Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship Recognition Program (MRARP)

ACTION: Notice.

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

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, ``Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship 
Recognition Program (MRARP).'' 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 
August 26, 2024.

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 Stephen Sage, U.S. Department of Labor/Office of 
Apprenticeship, Division of Standards and Quality, Program Analyst, by 
telephone at 202-693-3221 (this is not a toll-free number). For persons 
with a hearing or speech disability who need assistance to use the 
telephone system, please dial 711 to access telecommunications relay 
services.
    Submit written comments about, or requests for a copy of, this ICR 
by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of 
Apprenticeships, 200 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC; by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Sage by telephone at 202-693-
3221 (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 Office of Apprenticeship (OA) wants to acknowledge existing 
Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs that distinguish themselves by 
aligning their operations with the objectives of the Department of 
Labor's Good Jobs Principles and the Secretary's Advisory Committee on 
Apprenticeship (ACA). To identify these programs, OA will launch a 
marketing campaign to encourage program sponsors to apply for this 
annual recognition. Applicants will complete a web-based application to 
demonstrate how their RA program performs in the following areas:
     Leadership and internal policies around Equity and 
Opportunity;
     Recruitment and Hiring Practices;
     Strategic Partnerships--how they are developed to help 
implement RAs and promote Equity and Opportunity;
     Promoting RAs in the community;
     Quality Employment Opportunities--how does the RA create a 
quality employment opportunity through wage progression, providing 
skills and career advancement and supportive services and a positive 
work culture.
    In addition, applicants will be asked to provide graduation rates 
for the program. Applicants' answers will be reviewed against a scoring 
rubric to identify those RA programs that demonstrate outstanding 
service to

[[Page 53646]]

apprentices, program administration and industry engagement and the use 
of innovative practices and strategies to elevate RA as a model for 
workforce development. Those who meet all the criteria will receive the 
Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship Recognition. The National 
Apprenticeship Act of 1937 (29 U.S.C Sec.  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 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 No. 
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: Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship 
Recognition Program.
    Form: Meritorious Registered Apprenticeship Recognition Program 
Information.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0NEW.
    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 250.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 250.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 500 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0.

Jos[eacute] Javier Rodr[iacute]guez,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2024-14038 Filed 6-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P