2021-18275. Agency Information Collection Activity: Monthly Certification of On-the-Job and Apprenticeship Training

AGENCY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Benefits Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the revised collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each revised collection of information, including each proposed revision of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before October 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits Administration (20M33), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0178” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Maribel Aponte, Office of Enterprise and Integration, Data Governance Analytics (008), 1717 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0178” in any correspondence.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VBA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VBA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VBA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Authority: Public Law 115-89 “Veterans Apprenticeship and Labor Opportunity Reform Act”, 38 U.S.C. 3002(3)(C), 3032(c), 3233, 3313(g), 3484, 3534(a), 3680(c), 3687, and 10 U.S.C. 16131., 38 CFR 21.3131(a), 21.3132(c), 21.4135(e)(3)(iii), 21.4203(f)(3), 21.4262, 21.5130, 21.5138, 21.7139(g), and 21.7639(f), 21.9561(c), 21.9641(g).

Title: Monthly Certification of On-The-Job and Apprenticeship Training.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0178.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Benefits are authorized monthly based on the number of hours worked by the trainee as verified by the training establishment. Unscheduled terminations result in the termination of benefits. If hours are reduced to less than a full-time work schedule, a reduction of benefits will occur. Public Law 115-89 “Veterans Apprenticeship and Labor Opportunity Reform Act” (VALOR Act) was signed into law on November 21, 2017. Section 3 of this law amended 38 U.S.C. 3680(c) to eliminate the trainee's certification requirement. As a result, this form is only completed, signed, and certified by the training establishment to report the trainee's number of hours worked and/or to report the trainee's date of termination. The form no longer requires the signature of the trainee. The form is then sent to the Regional Processing Office (RPO) for processing.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 214,794 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Twelve (12) Annually per Respondent.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 107,397.

By direction of the Secretary.

Maribel Aponte,

VA PRA Clearance Officer, Office of Enterprise and Integration/Data Governance Analytics, Department of Veterans Affairs.