[Federal Register: March 31, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 62)]
[Notices]
[Page 16912-16914]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31mr08-112]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Proposed Information Collection for Workforce Innovation in
Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative Evaluation; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
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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
[[Page 16913]]
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 on respondents
can be properly assessed. Currently, the Employment and Training
Administration is soliciting comments on a new data collection for the
Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED)
Initiative Evaluation.
A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be
obtained by contacting the office listed below in the addressee section
of this notice or by accessing: http://www.doleta.gov/OMBCN/
OMBControlNumber.cfm.
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
addressee's section below on or before May 30, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to the Employment and Training
Administration, Room N-5641, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20210, Attention: Eileen Pederson Telephone number: 202-693-3647
(this is not a toll-free number). Fax: 202-693-2766. E-mail:
Pederson.eileen@dol.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In February 2006, under authority of section 414 of the American
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, the Employment
and Training Administration (ETA) awarded grants to 13 regions across
the United States to support community efforts to link their varied
knowledge resources with their business and innovation assets, and to
ensure that their workforces have the skills and knowledge required to
work effectively in new and emerging industries. In addition to grant
funds, each of these grantees, collectively known as Generation I
regions, is also eligible to receive access to ongoing technical
assistance provided directly and indirectly from ETA. At the same time
that these grants were awarded, ETA selected another 13 regions to
receive $100,000 to support their participation in peer-to-peer grantee
conferences (known as WIRED Academies) and other learning
opportunities. In early 2007, ETA increased the funds awarded to these
regions, at which time they became known as the Generation II regions.
Finally, in June 2007, ETA awarded grants to 13 more regions, known as
the Generation III regions.
The WIRED Initiative focuses on labor market areas that are
comprised of multiple jurisdictions within states or across state
borders. It supports innovative approaches to workforce development,
training and education that go beyond traditional strategies for
preparing workers to compete and succeed both within the United States
and globally. Through the initiative and with support and guidance from
their state Governors, WIRED regions have a unique opportunity to
design and implement strategic approaches for coordinated regional
economic development and job growth. For the grant awards, ETA selected
regions that demonstrated the presence of labor market elements
(unemployment, low-wages, low levels of new job creation) and economic
conditions (such as industries that are declining or industries
targeted for growth) that are driving the need for transformation. In
addition, each grant recipient described how the region will: Implement
new strategic efforts designed to drive integration among workforce,
economic development and education systems; promote innovation in
addressing challenges; and utilize and build upon existing structures,
resources and legislatively-funded programs. Finally, each region
outlined the presence of a strategic partnership that is representative
of the entire economic region and is comprised of a strong team of
regional leaders which will lead the regional transformation.
This data collection covers qualitative information to be obtained
through on-site, unstructured interviews with representatives in each
WIRED region. Data to be collected includes information regarding the
regional context, goals, planning, structure, partnerships,
collaboration, activities, funding, challenges, innovations, approaches
for measuring success, and sustainability.
II. Review Focus
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.
III. Current Actions
Type of Review: New.
Agency: Employment and Training Administration.
Title: Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development
(WIRED) Initiative Evaluation.
OMB Number: 1205-0NEW.
Record Keeping: NA.
Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; business or
other for-profit; and not-for-profit institutions.
Total Respondents: Approximately 2,400.
Frequency: The unstructured interviews will be conducted annually,
for two years, per Generation of regions, per following table.
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Average time
Year Group of regions Number of Total per response Annual burden
respondents responses (min) (hrs)
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2008................ Generation 1.............. 800 800 45 600
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2009................ Generation 1.............. 800 800 45 1,800
Generation 2.............. 800 800 45 ..............
Generation 3.............. 800 800 45 ..............
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2010................ Generation 2.............. 800 800 45 1,200
Generation 3.............. 800 800 45 ..............
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3 year Total................................ 4,800 4,800 .............. 3,600
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[[Page 16914]]
Total Annual Responses: An average of approximately 1,600.
Average Time per Response: 45 minutes per interview.
Estimated Total Burden Hours: The total annual burden hours is
estimated to be 1,200 hours.
Total Burden Cost: Varies per year, per following table.
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Annual burden Average cost Annual burden
Year Group of regions (hrs) per hour cost
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2008.............................. Generation 1................ 600 $36 $21,600
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2009.............................. Generation 1................ 600 36 64,800
Generation 2................ 600 36 ..............
Generation 3................ 600 36 ..............
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2010.............................. Generation 2................ 600 36 43,200
Generation 3................ 600 36 ..............
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Total......................... ............................ 3,600 .............. 129,600
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The cost to regional representatives to participate in the
unstructured interviews, based on an annual average salary of $75,000
per representative, is approximately $129,600.
Comments submitted in response to this comment request 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: March 26, 2008.
Thomas M. Dowd,
Administrator, Office of Policy Development and Research, Employment
and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-6549 Filed 3-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P