insulator

Regulated Occupation: YES
National Occupation Classification Code: 7293
Employment Outlook: Average occupational growth in Alberta.
Minimum General Educational Requirement: Grade 9
Length of Apprenticeship Training: 4 years of training while you work
Trades Certification: YES (Optional Certification Trade)

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Can I practice in my trade right away?

It is possible to practice right away; this is an Optional Certification Trade in Alberta. This means that you can work in this trade if you are a registered apprentice, a certified journeyman or if your employer is satisfied that you have the skills and the knowledge expected of a certified journeyman. You need to know that without the Alberta journeyman certification, you will earn less and you may have more difficulty finding employment.

If you have a foreign trade certificate or diploma, it takes less time to complete your certification, depending on your qualifications and work experience. Please contact the Government of Alberta � Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and obtain information about how you can qualify for the journeyman certification.

READ MORE...See more detailed information for people who have work experience in trades but do not have the registered apprentice title or journeyman certification - Alberta Qualification Certificate

What are the duties for this trade?

Insulators select, measure, fit, cut and install insulation materials and the required vapour barriers in commercial, industrial, institutional and residential buildings. Insulators also finish work on insulated surfaces by applying a protective surface over the insulation, such as metal cladding, canvas, plastic sheeting or cement. Insulators doing renovation work may need to remove old asbestos insulation.

Insulation work is done both indoors and outdoors, and it often requires using scaffolding and ladders. Insulators are often required to lift items weighing over 25 kg (67 pounds).

The average week is 40 hours of work, with overtime required to meet project deadlines. Insulator s working in the maintenance of industrial buildings (factories, plants) may have shift work.

The work requires use of safety equipments such as: safety glasses and goggles, respirators, protection gloves coveralls.


READ MORE...See the general occupation profile, employment outlook, career advancement and training information for the insulator trade:

. Alberta Learning Information Service: ALIS Occupation Profiles
. Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training � Trades and Occupations �Insulator.

Please note that companies may have different specific requirements in their job postings and job descriptions.

What other titles are used for this trade?

* Installer, Insulation
* Insulation Applicator
* Insulation Installer
* Insulation Mechanic

READ MORE...See a long list of related job titles in all Metal Form Shaping in Canada available at the Federal JobFutures

What educational institutions offer training for this trade in Alberta?

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training responsible for organizing trades training and certification in Alberta. In Edmonton, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology(NAIT) is the educational institution that provides training for boilermakers.

Find other educational institutions offering training for trades and other occupations in Alberta: search � EDinfo

What salary can I expect?

Journeyman Insulators in Alberta have a general hourly rate of $17 to $24 /hour plus benefits such as: health insurance, pension contributions, paid vacation days, paid sick days, etc� Overtime pay is usually higher than the regular hourly rate, and as agreed with your employer is considered for additional work over the 40 hours of regular work each week.

Apprentice Insulators during their three years of training earn more and more, getting closer to the journeyman hourly wage:
. first year of apprenticeship: 50% of the journeyman hourly rate
. second year of apprenticeship: 60% of the journeyman hourly rate
. third year of apprenticeship: 70% of the journeyman hourly rate
. fourth year of apprenticeship: 80% of the journeyman hourly rate

READ MORE�See updated salary information at the website �WAGEinfo

What is the employment outlook in Calgary?

In Alberta, 75% of Insulators work in the construction and oil and construction industries. In Calgary, the construction industry is the major employer for insulators. Several major institutional construction (hospitals, schools) projects are taking place over the next three years. Calgary�s economy is growing, creating favorable conditions for major renovations and new industrial and commercial buildings. Home building activity in Calgary continues to be very active. Your success depends on understanding how your experience and skills upgrading respond to industry needs.

READ MORE...Is Calgary�s economy Construction Industry

What do employers expect beyond trade technical skills?

Every employer has a set of basic rules that apply to all employees. Employers expect everybody to know and follow these rules that range from being punctual in the morning at the start of the workday, to more complex rules, such as the health and safety program in your unit.

Employers expect good workplace communication skills and a combination of basic mathematics and document skills as required by increasingly complex instructions to operate tools and understand how to use computerized equipment.

READ MORE...What do Calgary employers expect beyond technical skills?

READ MORE...Employer Expectations in the Construction

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Start Your Application for Journeyman Certification

Contact the Government of Alberta � Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and obtain information about the number of apprenticeship hours you are required to complete and what courses you need to take. If you have a foreign trades certificate or diploma you will be advised how obtain your journeyman certification and start practice your trade in the province of Alberta. Earning an Alberta trade certificates qualify you to practice anywhere else in Canada.

READ MORE...Red Seal Program

Find More Career Options in Trades and Stay Connected

Use the following links to find more information about work in your trade, employment programs and financial help to study. These organizations help you connect with employers and people working in the industry:

. Construction Industry Employer Associations:
  . Alberta Home Builders' Association
  . Merit Contractors Associations

. Your Trade Association: Insulators� Union, Local 110 in Edmonton

. Understand Related Opportunities in Trades: Search Alberta Learning Information Service: ALIS Occupation Profiles and think of opportunities in related occupations and areas of practice