Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity Announcement for the American Apprenticeship Initiative, 75838-75839 [2014-29682]

Download as PDF 75838 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 244 / Friday, December 19, 2014 / Notices Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for DOL–ETA, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, 725 17th Street NW., Washington, DC 20503; by Fax: 202– 395–5806 (this is not a toll-free number); or by email: OIRA_ submission@omb.eop.gov. Commenters are encouraged, but not required, to send a courtesy copy of any comments by mail or courier to the U.S. Department of Labor—OASAM, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Attn: Departmental Information Compliance Management Program, Room N1301, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210; or by email: DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Michel Smyth by telephone at 202–693–4129, TTY 202–693–8064, (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at DOL_PRA_PUBLIC@dol.gov. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D). This ICR seeks to extend PRA authority for the Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration information collection that consists of reporting and recordkeeping requirements. This reporting structure features standardized data collection for program participants and quarterly narrative, performance, and management information system report formats. Grantee organizations (e.g., State or local governments and faith-based and community organizations) or their subgrantees obtain and record needed information from program participants and report information quarterly to the ETA. Workforce Investment Act section 136(f)(1) authorizes this information collection. See 29 U.S.C. 2871(f)(1). 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 the 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. The DOL obtains OMB approval for this information collection under Control Number 1205–0485. OMB authorization for an ICR cannot be for more than three (3) years without renewal, and the current approval for this collection is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2014. The DOL seeks to extend PRA authorization for this mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:37 Dec 18, 2014 Jkt 235001 information collection for three (3) more years, without any change to existing requirements. The DOL notes that existing information collection requirements submitted to the OMB receive a month-to-month extension while they undergo review. For additional substantive information about this ICR, see the related notice published in the Federal Register on June 25, 2014 (79 FR 36100). Interested parties are encouraged to send comments to the OMB, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section within thirty (30) days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. In order to help ensure appropriate consideration, comments should mention OMB Control Number 1205–0485. The OMB 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. Title of Collection: Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration. OMB Control Number: 1205–0485. Affected Public: Individuals or Households; State, Local, and Tribal Governments; and Private Sector—notfor-profit institutions. Total Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,007. Total Estimated Number of Responses: 6,028. Total Estimated Annual Time Burden: 8,340 hours. Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden: $0. Dated: December 15, 2014. Michel Smyth, Departmental Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–29685 Filed 12–18–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–FT–P PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity Announcement for the American Apprenticeship Initiative Employment and Training Administration, Labor. ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). AGENCY: Funding Opportunity Number: FOA– ETA–15–02. SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor, announces the availability of approximately $100 million in grant funds authorized by Section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA), as amended (codified at 29 U.S.C. 2916a), for the American Apprenticeship Initiative. These grants are financed by a user fee paid by employers to hire foreign workers into the United States under the H–1B nonimmigrant visa program. This initiative is intended to provide a catalyst in supporting a uniquely American Apprenticeship system that meets our country’s particular economic, industry and workforce needs. American Apprenticeships (also referred to as Registered Apprenticeships) are innovative workbased learning and post-secondary earnand-learn models that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor (or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies). Grants funded by this initiative will support dynamic and sustainable public-private partnerships that: • Support the expansion of quality and innovative American Apprenticeship programs into highgrowth occupation(s) and industry(s), particularly those for which employers are using H–1B visas to hire foreign workers, and the related activities necessary to support such programs (see Appendix A or visit the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center); • Create career pathways that encompass American Apprenticeship and align with other post-secondary educational offerings; • Use strategies to significantly increase apprenticeship opportunities for job seekers and workers (particularly for women and other underrepresented populations in apprenticeship, including young men and women of E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 244 / Friday, December 19, 2014 / Notices color, people with disabilities; lowskilled populations; and veterans, including transitioning service members); and • Leverage and develop public policies that increase demand for American Apprenticeship and support sustainability. The complete FOA and any subsequent FOA amendments in connection with this funding opportunity are described in further detail on ETA’s Web site at https:// www.doleta.gov/grants/ or on https:// www.grants.gov. The Web sites provide application information, eligibility requirements, review and selection procedures, and other program requirements governing this funding opportunity. DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this announcement is April 30, 2015. Applications must be received no later than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannette Flowers, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room N–4716, Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: 202–693–3322. Sara Gallagher Williams is the Grant Officer for this FOA. Signed December 12, 2014 in Washington, DC. Eric D. Luetkenhaus, Grant Officer/Division Chief, Employment and Training Administration. [FR Doc. 2014–29682 Filed 12–18–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–FN–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: 2015 Adverse Effect Wage Rates Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this notice to announce the 2015 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for the employment of temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers (H–2A workers) to perform agricultural labor or services. AEWRs are the minimum wage rates the Department has determined must be offered and paid by employers to H–2A workers and workers in corresponding employment for a particular occupation and area so that the wages of similarly mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:37 Dec 18, 2014 Jkt 235001 employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected. 20 CFR 655.100(b). In this notice, the Department announces the annual update of the AEWRs. DATES: Effective Date: This notice is effective December 19, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William W. Thompson, Acting Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, U.S. Department of Labor, Room C–4312, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: 202–693–3010 (this is not a toll-free number). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security will not approve an employer’s petition for the admission of H–2A nonimmigrant temporary agricultural workers in the U.S. unless the petitioner has received from the Department an H– 2A labor certification. The labor certification provides that: (1) There are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, and qualified and who will be available at the time and place needed to perform the labor or services involved in the petition; and (2) the employment of the foreign worker(s) in such labor or services will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of workers in the U.S. similarly employed. 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a), 1184(c)(1), and 1188(a); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5). Adverse Effect Wage Rates for 2015 The Department’s H–2A regulations at 20 CFR 655.120(l) provide that employers must pay their H–2A workers and workers in corresponding employment at least the highest of: (i) The AEWR; (ii) the prevailing hourly wage rate; (iii) the prevailing piece rate; (iv) the agreed-upon collective bargaining wage rate, if applicable; or (v) the Federal or State minimum wage rate, in effect at the time the work is performed. Except as otherwise provided in 20 CFR part 655, subpart B, the regionwide AEWR for all agricultural employment (except those occupations deemed inappropriate under the special procedure provisions of 20 CFR 655.102) for which temporary H–2A certification is being sought is equal to the annual weighted average hourly wage rate for field and livestock workers (combined) in the State or region as published annually by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 20 CFR 655.120(c) requires that the Administrator of the Office of Foreign Labor Certification publish the USDA field and livestock worker (combined) wage data as AEWRs in a Federal PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 75839 Register notice. Accordingly, the 2015 AEWRs to be paid for agricultural work performed by H–2A and U.S. workers on or after the effective date of this notice are set forth in the table below: TABLE—2015 ADVERSE EFFECT WAGE RATES State Alabama ................................ Arizona .................................. Arkansas ............................... California ............................... Colorado ............................... Connecticut ........................... Delaware ............................... Florida ................................... Georgia ................................. Hawaii ................................... Idaho ..................................... Illinois .................................... Indiana .................................. Iowa ...................................... Kansas .................................. Kentucky ............................... Louisiana .............................. Maine .................................... Maryland ............................... Massachusetts ...................... Michigan ............................... Minnesota ............................. Mississippi ............................ Missouri ................................ Montana ................................ Nebraska .............................. Nevada ................................. New Hampshire .................... New Jersey ........................... New Mexico .......................... New York .............................. North Carolina ...................... North Dakota ........................ Ohio ...................................... Oklahoma ............................. Oregon .................................. Pennsylvania ........................ Rhode Island ........................ South Carolina ...................... South Dakota ........................ Tennessee ............................ Texas .................................... Utah ...................................... Vermont ................................ Virginia .................................. Washington ........................... West Virginia ........................ Wisconsin ............................. Wyoming ............................... 2015 AEWRs $10.00 10.54 10.18 11.33 11.37 11.26 11.29 10.19 10.00 12.98 11.14 11.61 11.61 12.62 13.59 10.28 10.18 11.26 11.29 11.26 11.56 11.56 10.18 12.62 11.14 13.59 11.37 11.26 11.29 10.54 11.26 10.32 13.59 11.61 10.35 12.42 11.29 11.26 10.00 13.59 10.28 10.35 11.37 11.26 10.32 12.42 10.28 11.56 11.14 Pursuant to the H–2A regulations at 20 CFR 655.173, the Department will publish a separate Federal Register notice in early 2015 to announce (1) the allowable charges for 2015 that employers seeking H–2A workers may charge their workers for providing them three meals a day; and (2) the maximum travel subsistence reimbursement which E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM 19DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75838-75839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29682]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Notice of Availability of Funds and Funding Opportunity 
Announcement for the American Apprenticeship Initiative

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

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

    Funding Opportunity Number: FOA-ETA-15-02.

SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. 
Department of Labor, announces the availability of approximately $100 
million in grant funds authorized by Section 414(c) of the American 
Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA), as 
amended (codified at 29 U.S.C. 2916a), for the American Apprenticeship 
Initiative.
    These grants are financed by a user fee paid by employers to hire 
foreign workers into the United States under the H-1B nonimmigrant visa 
program. This initiative is intended to provide a catalyst in 
supporting a uniquely American Apprenticeship system that meets our 
country's particular economic, industry and workforce needs. American 
Apprenticeships (also referred to as Registered Apprenticeships) are 
innovative work-based learning and post-secondary earn-and-learn models 
that meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department 
of Labor (or federally recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies). 
Grants funded by this initiative will support dynamic and sustainable 
public-private partnerships that:
     Support the expansion of quality and innovative American 
Apprenticeship programs into high-growth occupation(s) and industry(s), 
particularly those for which employers are using H-1B visas to hire 
foreign workers, and the related activities necessary to support such 
programs (see Appendix A or visit the Foreign Labor Certification Data 
Center);
     Create career pathways that encompass American 
Apprenticeship and align with other post-secondary educational 
offerings;
     Use strategies to significantly increase apprenticeship 
opportunities for job seekers and workers (particularly for women and 
other underrepresented populations in apprenticeship, including young 
men and women of

[[Page 75839]]

color, people with disabilities; low-skilled populations; and veterans, 
including transitioning service members); and
     Leverage and develop public policies that increase demand 
for American Apprenticeship and support sustainability.
    The complete FOA and any subsequent FOA amendments in connection 
with this funding opportunity are described in further detail on ETA's 
Web site at https://www.doleta.gov/grants/ or on https://www.grants.gov. 
The Web sites provide application information, eligibility 
requirements, review and selection procedures, and other program 
requirements governing this funding opportunity.

DATES: The closing date for receipt of applications under this 
announcement is April 30, 2015. Applications must be received no later 
than 4:00:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannette Flowers, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Room N-4716, Washington, DC 20210; Telephone: 202-693-3322. 
Sara Gallagher Williams is the Grant Officer for this FOA.

    Signed December 12, 2014 in Washington, DC.
Eric D. Luetkenhaus,
Grant Officer/Division Chief, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-29682 Filed 12-18-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P
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