Thursday, June 13, 2019

Trade Profile — Insulator

Learn what it takes to be an insulator

Over the next ten years, it is estimated that over 261,100 tradespeople will retire in Canada, while only 221,300 will enter the field, resulting in a significant loss of skilled workers. In addition, due to the aging population, the overall number of people who are considered to be in their working prime (age 25-54) is expected to decline. These factors will make it increasingly difficult to replenish the retiring workforce.

In response to the anticipated shortage of skilled apprentices, the construction industry has developed several initiatives, opportunities, and grants to encourage youth, women, the indigenous population, and other groups to consider a career in the skilled trades. Alongside various partners, CLAC has become increasingly involved in promoting the skilled trades as a rewarding career option, while simultaneously looking for new ways to support industry and workers alike.

Over the next year, we will share a variety of trades-related blogs here on Your Voice. We will highlight in-demand trades by providing you with a snap shot of their education requirements, average salary, and employment outlook.

This month's highlighted trade is insulator.

What is the difference between a compulsory and a non-compulsory trade? A compulsory trade is a trade in which all workers are legally required to have registered apprentice or journeyperson status. When working in a non-compulsory trade, you do not have to register your apprenticeship with Alberta Apprentice and Industry Training (AIT) and your employer can deem you competent to perform the job without technical training.

Industrial insulation is a non-compulsory trade. While workers have the option to complete the three-year apprenticeship program, including 1,517 hours of on-the-job training and seven weeks of technical training each year, it is not a requirement to work in the trade. Instead, they can have an employer determine their competency, most often based on their proven hours worked in the trade. These hours are usually demonstrated through a letter from previous employers or a record of employment issued by Service Canada.

It is estimated that only 10 percent of the insulation workforce is ticketed (meaning they are AIT registered apprentices or journeypersons). The remaining 90 percent advance their career and move from job to job simply by presenting their record of hours from previous employers. If you weren’t given any additional information, what path would you choose?

We are going to give you some more information so that you can make the best possible career choices. As the oil and gas industry continues to shift from industrial work to maintenance work, training standards and expectations are increasing. With large industrial projects, movement of workers happens quickly, and there isn’t always time to worry about getting that extra training. Maintenance work, however, keeps a more even pace, giving industry leaders time to raise the bar on training standards. More site owners are now expecting a ticketed workforce on their site.

By attending technical training, you will also become a better-rounded worker because you may learn things that you never had the chance to learn while working on site. A worker could have 5,000 hours—which by most standards would deem their competency level to be that of a journeyperson—however, they could have spent much of their time completing first-year equivalent work with no technical training. Furthermore, competency evaluations can differ from site to site and employer to employer. While one employer might pay you third-year rates, another could pay first-year rates. By completing technical training, you have irrefutable qualifications for your position.

Finally, do you want to stand out in your trade and maintain a reputation of excellence? By becoming a registered apprentice in a non-compulsory trade, you are now part of the elite 10 percent instead of getting lost with the other 90 percent. As the trade continues to grow, it will be those ticketed workers who are the highest in demand, while the others are forced to play catch up with their education.

In terms of duties performed on site, industrial insulators primarily apply, remove, and repair thermal and/or acoustical insulation on all types of commercial and industrial equipment. Insulators are often responsible for reading and interpreting drawings and specifications; applying varying methods of securing installation; measuring, cutting, and fitting insulation; installing vapor barriers; and finishing insulated surfaces. Insulators are most often employed by construction companies, insulation contractors, and industrial plants. This trade is subject to business cycle swings that can sometimes lead to seasonal employment.

CLAC represents several contractors who employ industrial insulators and journeyperson wages can range on average from $30 to $42 per hour, plus additional benefits (in Alberta). Insulation is a great career pathway for those who are interested in working as dual-ticketed tradespersons, particularly when combined with apprentice or Journeyperson status in the electrical or scaffolding professions.

Additionally, high school students can become apprentice insulators in Alberta. Through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), students are able to gain credits toward their apprenticeship training and high school diploma at the same time, all while making a paycheque. Students who are interested in joining RAP should speak to their off-campus coordinator to get started.

Interested in the skilled trades? Contact your CLAC Training Team for support in navigating the apprenticeship pathway, assistance in enrolling in technical training, and information regarding student funding.

Trade Profile — Insulator

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