Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to gather information from states about their programs that help people learn skills for road work jobs, especially for women and minorities. They are asking people to say if they think this will help, if it's the right way to do it, and if there's an easier way to get the information.
Summary AI
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced a request for comments on a new information collection related to the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program. This collection aims to improve oversight and effectiveness by gathering data from State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to enhance minority and women's participation in highway construction jobs. The proposed information, which state DOTs already collect, will help evaluate program success on a national level. Public comments are invited on aspects like necessity, accuracy, and methods to lessen the burden of this data collection.
Abstract
The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The recent document from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), published in the Federal Register, outlines a proposed information collection aimed at enhancing the oversight and effectiveness of the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program. This proposal seeks public comments and is part of a wider strategy to foster greater inclusion of minorities and women in highway construction jobs. The FHWA plans to gather data from State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to assess how well the OJT Program meets its national objectives.
General Summary
The document primarily serves as a notice to stakeholders and the public about the FHWA’s intent to ask for the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval for new data collection activities. This information will be crucial in assessing the program's impact and advancing its primary goal of increasing workforce diversity in the construction trades associated with highway projects. The agency is seeking public comments on the necessity, burden, and methods of the data collection.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Lack of Consistency:
One significant issue identified in the document is the lack of a standardized format for State DOT reports, leading to inconsistencies in the data submitted. This inconsistency may hinder effective oversight, as data that could allow the FHWA to monitor the success of the program may be unreliable or incomplete.
Optional Compliance:
The proposal states that the completion of the OJT Program Report is optional. While this may reduce the burden on the State DOTs, it also risks limiting the collection of comprehensive and standardized data, which could undermine efforts to assess the program’s impact on a national level.
Underestimated Burden:
Another concern lies in the estimated burden of four hours annually for each DOT to compile the required data. This estimate may be too optimistic, especially if data collection and organization from various projects prove more complex.
Incorporation of Feedback:
Though the document invites public comments, it lacks clarity on how this feedback will be integrated into the decision-making process. This could potentially marginalize stakeholder input, impacting the collection and utilization of critical information.
Impact on the Public
Broad Implications:
For the general public, this initiative has the potential to improve the inclusivity and effectiveness of federally funded programs that support workforce development. By harnessing more comprehensive data, the FHWA could better ensure that OJT opportunities are genuinely benefiting underrepresented groups, thus contributing to more equitable economic opportunities across communities.
Impact on Stakeholders
State Departments of Transportation:
Stakeholders such as State DOTs face both challenges and opportunities with this new proposal. A better-defined reporting process could assist these agencies in clearly demonstrating their progress, successes, and challenges in meeting OJT objectives.
Construction Industry:
For the highway construction industry, effective implementation of the OJT Program could lead to a more skilled and diverse workforce, potentially enhancing project quality and innovation.
Underrepresented Groups:
Minorities and women stand to gain significantly from improvements in the OJT Program. By ensuring the tracking and fulfillment of training goals, the initiative can facilitate greater access to well-paying jobs and career advancement within the highway construction industry.
In conclusion, while the FHWA's intent to refine the OJT Program and its evaluation is commendable, the issues of consistency, optional compliance, underestimated burden, and incorporation of public feedback need careful consideration. Addressing these concerns will be key to maximizing the program’s effectiveness and thereby achieving its inclusive objectives.
Issues
• The document mentions the lack of a prescribed format for State DOT reports and the varied nature of these reports, potentially leading to inconsistent data that could affect oversight and evaluation.
• The GAO report cited in the document highlights a lack of comprehensive assessments by FHWA on the OJT programs’ effectiveness over 40 years, calling into question the program's overall impact and return on investment.
• The document states that the new OJT Program Report is optional, which might reduce its effectiveness in standardizing data collection and reporting across all State DOTs.
• The burden estimate of four employee hours annually per respondent might be underestimated, especially if collecting and organizing comprehensive training data from different projects is more complex.
• Although the document invites public comments, it does not specify how stakeholder feedback will be incorporated or how it might influence the final decisions about the information collection process.
• The language in the document regarding the requirement for State DOTs to evaluate and report their annual goals and shortfalls could be simplified for clarity.