[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 223 (Wednesday, November 19, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 61830-61832] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-30360] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs-- Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden conducts a preclearance consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). 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 [[Page 61831]] requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and Training Administration is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the collection of the information regarding registered apprenticeship programs under Title 29 CFR part 29 (Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs) and the extension of the collection of the information under CFR part 30 (Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training). DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the addressee section below on or before January 20, 1998. The Department of Labor is particularly interested in comments which: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 submissions of responses. ADDRESSES: Anthony Swoope, Director, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Room 4649, Washington, DC 20210; E-mail Internet address: S[email protected]; Telephone number: (202) 219-5921 (this is not a toll-free number); Fax number: (202)219- 5011(this is not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The National Apprenticeship Act of 1937 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 the formulation of programs of apprenticeship, to cooperate with State agencies engaged in the formulation and promotion of standards of apprenticeship, and to cooperate with the Office of Education under the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare * * *. ``Section 2 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). Title 29 CFR part 29 sets forth labor standards to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and to extend the application of such standards by prescribing policies and procedures concerning registration, for certain Federal purposes, of acceptable apprenticeship programs with the U.S Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. These labor standards, policies and procedures cover the registration, cancellation, and deregistration of apprenticeship programs and of apprenticeship agreements; the recognition of a State agency as the appropriate agency for registering local apprenticeship programs for certain Federal purposes; and matters relating thereto. Title 29 CFR part 30 sets forth policies and procedures to promote equality of opportunity in apprenticeship programs registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and recognized State apprenticeship agencies. These policies and procedures apply to recruitment and selection of apprentices, and to all conditions of employment and training during apprenticeship. The procedures provide for review of apprenticeship programs, for registering apprenticeship programs, for processing complaints, and for deregistering noncomplying apprenticeship programs. This part also provides policies and procedures for continuation or withdrawal of recognition of State agencies which register apprenticeship programs for Federal purposes. II. Current Actions Recordkeeping and data collection activities regarding registered apprenticeship are by-products of the registration system. Organizations which apply for apprenticeship sponsorship enter into an agreement with the Federal Government or cognizant State government to operate their proposed programs consistent with 29 CFR parts 29 and 30. Apprenticeship sponsors are not required to file reports regarding their apprentices other than individual registration and update information as an apprentice moves through their program. As requested by the Office of Management and Budget, a revision is being made to the Apprenticeship Agreement Form, ETA 671, to include a statement regarding the voluntary disclosure of the social security number by the apprentice. Also, as requested by the Solicitor's Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, another revision to the form includes a statement informing the apprentice that the information contained on the Apprenticeship Agreement Form, is included in the Apprenticeship Management System. The information on this form is protected in accordance with the Privacy Act. Type of Review: Revision. Agency: Employment and Training Administration. Title: Title 29 CFR part 29, Labor Standards for the Registration of Apprenticeship Programs. OMB Number: 1205-0223 for 29 CFR part 29. Type of Review: Extension. Agency: Employment and Training Administration. Title: Title 29 CFR part 30, Equal Employment Opportunity in Apprenticeship and Training. OMB Number: 1205-0224 for 29 CFR part 30. Recordkeeping: Apprenticeship sponsors are required to keep accurate records on the qualifications of each applicant pertaining to determination of compliance with these regulations. Records must be retained, where appropriate, regarding affirmative action plans and evidence that qualification standards have been validated. State Apprenticeship Councils are also obligated to keep adequate records pertaining to determination of compliance with these regulations. All of the above records are required to be maintained for five years. If this information was not required, there would be no documentation that the apprenticeship programs were being operated in a nondiscriminatory manner. Many apprenticeship programs are 4 years or more in duration; therefore, it is important to maintain the records for at least 5 years. [[Page 61832]] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total Section respondents Frequency responses Average time per response Burden -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of Burden for 29 CFR Part 29 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sec. 29.3............................. 94,041 1-time.............................. 94,041 \1/4\ hour................ 23,510 Sec. 29.6............................. 62,940 1-time.............................. 62,940 \1/12\ hour............... 5,245 Sec. 29.5............................. 1,906 1-time.............................. 3,600 2 hours................... 3,812 Sec. 29.7............................. 40 1-time.............................. 40 \1/12\ hour............... 3 Sec. 29.12............................ 30 1-time.............................. 30 2 hours................... 60 Sec. 29.13............................ .............. .................................... .............. .......................... .............. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................. .............. .................................... 160,651 .......................... 32,630 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Summary of Burden for 30 CFR Part 29 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sec. 30.3............................. 1,024 1-time.............................. 1,024 \1/2\ hour................ 512 Sec. 30.4............................. 247 1-time.............................. 247 1 hour.................... 247 Sec. 30.5............................. 3,662 1-time/applicant.................... 3,662 \1/2\ hour................ 1,1834 Sec. 30.6............................. 50 1-time.............................. 50 5 hours................... 250 Sec. 30.8............................. 35,848 1-time.............................. 35,848 1 minute.................. 597 Sec. 30.8............................. 30 1-time/program...................... 17,924 5 minutes................. 1,494 Sec. 30.11............................ 35,848 1-time.............................. 35,848 Hand-out.................. .............. ETA 9039.............................. 50 1-time.............................. 50 \1/2\ hour................ 25 Sec. 30.15............................ 30 1-time.............................. (\1\) .......................... .............. Sec. 30.19............................ 30 varies.............................. .............. .......................... .............. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................. .............. .................................... 94,653 .......................... 4,959 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ Completed. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: November 14, 1997. Anthony Swoope, Director, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. [FR Doc. 97-30360 Filed 11-18-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510-30-M