Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Common Performance Reporting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Labor wants to collect a lot of information about how different work programs are doing, and they are asking people to share their thoughts about this plan. It will take a lot of time and money, and they want help to make sure it's worth it.
Summary AI
The Department of Labor is asking the public for comments on its plan to collect data related to workforce programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The information is required for these programs to report their performance. People have until February 5, 2025, to submit their comments. The proposed collection affects state, local, and tribal governments and is expected to include over 19 million responses, taking an estimated total of almost 4.85 million hours annually to complete.
Abstract
The Department of Labor (DOL) is submitting this Employment and Training Administration (ETA)-sponsored information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). Public comments on the ICR are invited.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document, titled "Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Common Performance Reporting," published by the Department of Labor (DOL), invites public comments on its proposed information collection regarding workforce programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This initiative aims to gather data necessary for evaluating the performance of core programs, which include adult and youth employment and training programs as well as adult education and family literacy programs. The deadline for submitting comments is February 5, 2025.
General Summary
The Department of Labor seeks feedback on its plan to collect performance data from various workforce-related programs. The data collection effort will involve state, local, and tribal governments, aiming to gather responses from over 19 million respondents annually. The information will contribute to assessing the effectiveness of workforce programs and ensure compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One primary concern is the enormous scale of the proposed data collection. With over 19 million estimated respondents and an annual time burden exceeding 4.8 million hours, the undertaking appears vast. This scale raises questions about the methodology used to estimate these figures and the practical feasibility of managing such an extensive data collection initiative. Furthermore, the expected annual cost burden of $33.3 million suggests significant financial implications, necessitating a detailed breakdown to comprehend the allocation and purpose of these expenses.
Another noteworthy issue is the complexity of the language used in the notice. Terminology particular to government processes and legislative acts, such as the Paperwork Reduction Act, may pose challenges for those not well-versed in these matters, potentially hindering the public's ability to provide informed comments.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the public might benefit from improved workforce programs if the data collection enhances program effectiveness and accountability. However, the administrative and financial burden on state, local, and tribal governments could indirectly affect taxpayers if the expected costs are passed down through public spending adjustments.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For state, local, and tribal governments specifically, this proposal represents a considerable commitment in terms of time and resources. The estimated time burden and associated costs imply that these entities will need to allocate substantial resources, which could strain other public service areas. On the positive side, successful data collection could lead to more effective workforce programs, potentially aiding job seekers and employers by better aligning training opportunities with labor market needs.
The document could potentially have a negative impact if the burden of data collection outweighs its benefits. Additionally, without presenting specific automated solutions or technological aids to minimize the burden, stakeholders may find the requirements challenging to implement efficiently. Providing clearer examples or explanations of the benefits and applications of the data could bolster stakeholders' understanding and support.
Ultimately, while the effort aims to improve public service programs, the scope, scale, and complexity of the data collection raise important questions about its feasibility and impact, necessitating a careful examination by those affected and involved.
Financial Assessment
The document under review discusses an information collection request by the Department of Labor concerning the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Common Performance Reporting. Among its various elements, it includes financial references that require careful consideration.
Financial Overview
One of the key financial references in the document is the "Total Estimated Annual Other Costs Burden", which amounts to $33,300,000. This figure represents the non-labor expenses anticipated as part of the information collection process. These costs could include expenditures related to technology infrastructure, materials, and other resources necessary to support the collection and reporting of data as mandated by WIOA.
Relation to Identified Issues
The estimated financial burden poses several implications. First, there is a concern about the "methodology used to arrive at these figures," particularly in light of the high number of respondents and responses, noted as 19,114,129. A closer examination of the ways in which the financial resources are allocated might shed light on whether economies can be realized or efficiencies can be achieved.
Moreover, the document mentions a "total estimated annual time burden" of 4,849,727 hours, indicating a substantial commitment of time resources from state, local, and tribal governments. The associated costs, in part exemplified by the $33,300,000 figure, suggest significant financial commitments are needed to meet these requirements.
The financial obligations discussed in the document should be justified by the benefits realized from collecting this information. However, the document does not provide detailed information on how the data collection directly benefits public programs, which could help in understanding the rationale behind the financial commitment.
Lack of Detailed Financial Allocation
While the document provides a total cost burden, it does not offer a breakdown of these costs. Understanding the distribution across different categories—such as data processing, system maintenance, personnel training, or any external contracting—could provide greater transparency and highlight potential areas for cost savings.
Potential for Reduction
Finally, the absence of specific automated collection techniques as discussed in the issues section suggests there might be missed opportunities to reduce both the financial and time burdens. Automation could potentially lower costs associated with manual data entry and errors, thus making the process more efficient and possibly decreasing the substantial $33,300,000 financial burden noted.
By addressing these financial concerns and providing a clearer picture of the anticipated costs and their justifications, stakeholders could be better equipped to assess the value and impact of the proposed information collection under WIOA.
Issues
• The total estimated number of respondents and responses appears unusually high (19,114,129), which may warrant a closer examination of the methodology used to arrive at these figures.
• The document mentions a total estimated annual time burden of 4,849,727 hours, which seems significant and could imply a substantial commitment of resources by state, local, and tribal governments.
• The total estimated annual other costs burden is listed as $33,300,000, which could be a considerable financial impact. It would be beneficial to have a breakdown of these costs to better understand their allocation and purpose.
• The language used in the document, especially in sections such as 'SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION' and the comments section, could be simplified to enhance understanding, particularly for individuals who are not familiar with government processes and the Paperwork Reduction Act.
• The document does not provide detailed information or examples of how the data collection will directly benefit public programs, which might help justify the extensive data collection effort and associated costs.
• There is no mention of specific automated collection techniques that could minimize the burden of the collection of information, which could be an area for improvement to reduce the stated time burden and costs.
• The document could include more precise definitions or examples of 'core programs' under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to clarify the scope for stakeholders unfamiliar with these programs.