Insulator (heat, frost,
sound, acoustical)

Installs, insulates, services, maintains, repairs, and removes insulation items in commercial, industrial and institutional establishments.

Who Am I?

Do you like working with your hands? Could you work on the ground or in high places? Are you adaptable to go from working indoors to outdoors in all kinds of weather? Then, you could train to be an Insulator!

What do I do?

Insulators work with a variety of insulation materials such as fiberglass, styrofoam, mineral wool, calcium silicate and foamglas, as well as, a variety of jacketing materials: aluminum, stainless steel, PVC, and canvas to install insulation for thermal, refactory, and cryogenic applications on all types of industrial and commercial equipment - piping, duct, heat exchangers, tanks, and vessels.

How do I start?

You can get a jump-start on your future career in the construction trades by checking out construction courses offered at colleges and high schools. These hands-on courses will help you build the basic skills you will use in the construction industry.

While you're still in high school, you can begin an apprenticeship program as a Senior Years Apprentice and earn both high school and apprenticeship credits at the same time. After high school graduation, many Senior Years apprentices continue in regular, full-time apprenticeship programs.

While Manitoba does not offer a complete Insulator apprenticeship program, you can become certified. To be an apprentice in this trade, you must be at least 16 years old. You should be a Senior 4 graduate, or, as a mature student, have an equivalent academic standing.

Length of Program

Under development but training is available.

How does apprenticeship training work?

The trade of Insulator is still under development in Manitoba. However, because the trade is recognized interprovincially, you can still take apprenticeship training.

Contact the Apprenticeship Branch to determine how many levels of training are required, the number of hours of practical and technical training you need to complete each level of training and where technical training is offered.

You can complete your on-the-job training requirements with a qualified employer in Manitoba. The Apprenticeship Branch will arrange the out-of-province technical training. When you go to school, you pay a small portion of the tuition and are responsible for the cost of any required books and supplies. Most apprentices are eligible for employment insurance (EI) when they go to school.

When you successfully complete all levels of training, and score at least 70 % on your final examination, you receive a Certificate of Qualification confirming your status as a certified journeyperson. Your certificate also has "Red Seal" endorsement that means that your trade qualifications are generally recognized throughout most of Canada.

For more detailed information on apprenticeship training in this trade, check the Apprenticeship web site at : http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/aet/apprent/index.htm

How much do I make?

Wage Rate: $25.50 (Base rate, effective Jan. 1, 2010, not including benefits).

Employers provide holiday and vacation pay and may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care, retirement packages, and training benefits. The value of the benefits can range from 20% to 30% over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

Insulators usually work a 40-hour, five-day workweek, but may also work 40 hours in four days. Some overtime may be required to meet construction deadlines. If you're working in industrial plant maintenance, you may work shifts.

Where do I go from here?

Insulators are needed for construction companies, insulation contractors and industrial plants. You can also upgrade your skills to become eligible for higher level positions like foreman, general foreman or superintendent. Another option is becoming an estimator, where you would review blueprints for proposed work, determine how much material is needed and how long the work will take.