The information collected and compiled in the MLS program is used to satisfy the legislatively required reporting mandated by Clause (iii) of Section 309(2)(15)(a)(1) (A) of the Workforce Investment Act which states that the Secretary of Labor shall oversee the development, maintenance, and continuous improvements of the incidence of, industrial and geographical location of, and number of workers displaced by, permanent layoffs and plant closings. In addition to the BLS uses of MLS data, such data are used by Congress, the Executive Branch, the business, labor, and academic communities, State Workforce Agencies, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for both macro- and microeconomic analysis, including specific labor market studies geared towards manpower assistance and development. Moreover, State agencies use the MLS data in various ways, including: the identification of geographic areas in need of special manpower services; the identification of ailing or troubled industries; the identification of specific employers needing assistance; the targeting of outreach activities for the unemployed; and the determination of those workers in need of temporary health care services.
The difference between the current OMB inventory and the total annual hours requested results from a change in how the MLS program calculates annual burden. The program generally uses a historical three-year average of respondents to calculate annual burden. This resulted in a slight decrease in burden. In light of the current economic climate, however, the MLS program has decided to use the data solely from 2008 in order to estimate future burden.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.