Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; O*NET Data Collection Program, 13787-13788 [2018-06414]

Agencies

• Employment and Training Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13787-13788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06414]


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

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; O*NET 
Data Collection Program

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training 
Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed 
extension for the authority to conduct the information collection 
request (ICR) titled, ``O*NET Data Collection Program'' (expires 
September 30, 2018). 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 
May 29, 2018.

ADDRESSES: A copy of this ICR with applicable supporting documentation;

[[Page 13788]]

including a description of the likely respondents, proposed frequency 
of response, and estimated total burden may be obtained free by 
contacting Lauren Fairley by telephone at (202) 693-3731, TTY 1-877-
889-5627 (TTY/TDD), (these are not toll-free numbers) or by email at 
[email protected] or by accessing: https://www.onetcenter.org/ombclearance.html.
    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--Division of National Programs Tools and 
Technical Assistance, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, C4526, Washington, DC 
20210, by email: [email protected] or by Fax (202) 693-3015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Lauren Fairley by telephone at 
(202) 693-3015 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email at 
[email protected].

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 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 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.

I. Background

    The O*NET Data Collection Program is an ongoing effort to collect 
and maintain current information on the detailed characteristics of 
occupations and skills for more than 900 occupations. The resulting 
database provides the most comprehensive standardized source of 
occupational and skills information in the nation. O*NET information is 
used by a wide range of audiences, including individuals making career 
decisions, public agencies and schools providing career exploration 
services or education and training programs, and businesses making 
staffing and training decisions. The O*NET system provides a common 
language, framework and database to meet the administrative needs of 
various federal programs, including workforce investment and training 
programs supported by funding from the Departments of Labor, Education, 
and Health and Human Services.
    Section 308 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
requires the Secretary of Labor to oversee the ``development, 
maintenance, and continuous improvement of a nationwide workforce and 
labor market information system'' which shall include, among other 
components, ``skill trends by occupation and industry.'' The O*NET 
database provides:
    [ssquf] Detailed information for more than 900 occupations.
    [ssquf] Descriptive information using standardized descriptors for 
skills, abilities, interests, knowledge, work values, education, 
training, work context, and work activities.
    [ssquf] Occupational coding currently based on the 2010 Standard 
Occupational Classification (SOC) taxonomies--and will be transitioning 
to the 2018 SOC taxonomy.
    The O*NET electronic database and related O*NET products and tools 
have been incorporated into numerous public and private sector products 
and resources, examples of O*NET use are presented in the O*NET 
Products at Work (PAW) document at https://www.onetcenter.org/paw.html. 
These products in turn serve millions of customers. Section 308 of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 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 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.
    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 number 
1205-0421.
    Submitted comments will also be a matter of public record for this 
ICR and posted on the internet, without redaction. The DOL encourages 
commenters not to include personally identifiable information, 
confidential business data, or other sensitive statements/information 
in any comments.
    The 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: Extension without changes.
    Title of Collection: O*NET Data Collection Program.
    Form: N/A.
    OMB Control Number: 1205-0421.
    Affected Public: Private sector (for-profit businesses and not-for-
profit organizations); State, local and tribal governments, Federal 
government, Individuals or Households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 28,494.
    Frequency: Varies.
    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 28,494.
    Estimated Average Time per Response: Varies.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,293 hours.
    Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $0

Rosemary Lahasky,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-06414 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-FN-P