Clearance Form

OMB Approval No. 1205-0436

Expiration Date: 5/31/2010-- /--/20--

ABBREVIATED SUPPORTING STATEMENT

CLEARANCE FORM

A. SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORTING STATEMENT

A.1. Title:	Quick Turnaround Site Visits Interviews/Surveys Regarding WIRED Initiative Plans and Operations
A.2. Compliance with 5 CFR 1320.5: Yes __X_ No _____				A.3. Assurances of confidentiality: Yes. Based on terms of our umbrella clearance, OMB No. 1205-0436, requiring confidentiality.
A.4. Federal cost: $912,000: $300,000 each for the first and second round of grantees (Generations 1 and 2) and $312,000 for the third round of grantees (Generation 3).				A.5. Requested expiration date (Month/Year): 07/08* *Assuming that DOL/ETA receives an extension of the current expiration date of 4/30/2007
A.6. Burden Hour estimates: a. Number of Respondents: 1,128 a.1. % Received Electronically 0% b. Frequency: One time only c. Average Response Time: 53 minutes d. Total Annual Burden Hours: 994.5 hours				A7. Does the collection of information employ statistical methods? ____X_ No _______ Yes (Complete Section B and attach BLS review sheet).
A.8. Abstract: These site visit interviews/surveys are intended to provide in-depth and systematic baseline information on how project leaders have developed, organized, funded, and implemented regional plans and early operations under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative. The survey will identify the roster of partners and the nature of their roles in moving the collaborative partnerships and transformational strategies forward. In addition, site visitors will inquire about developing opportunities such as, new venture capital and new markets for products, workforce investment and advancement constraints (including skills shortages, new competition, and shutdowns of plants or major workplaces) experienced within the region’s economic sector, as well as opportunities in new and/or expanding industries. Members of the evaluation team(s) will visit each region participating in the Initiative to capture information about their collaborative approaches. The visits will focus on 1) regional labor markets, within which there are expected to be different opportunities and skill mixes for future employment in high growth industry areas; 2) the continuum of education from K-12 through post-secondary and higher education, with differing leadership, challenges, specialties and linkages with the workforce investment system; 3) business communities, with changing characteristics and opportunities, including major economic shocks that create jobs (as in the case of military realignment) or dislocations resulting from natural disasters or trade.; 4) the social, cultural and political environments; and 5) the dynamics that foster and promote innovation, entrepreneurship and development of research ideas and inventions. This data collection will not duplicate any information currently collected. The instrument is organized into twelve areas of questioning. Although identifiers will be used to link the information collected with other data, identities of respondents will not be included in published reports nor otherwise be revealed to anyone not directly involved in the information collection (i.e., contractor personnel.)
Program Official		Date	Departmental Clearance Officer		Date