Insulators - Career Overview
 Career Information:
Today’s Insulators:
- work in industrial, commercial,
transportation or cryogenic environments
- work with many materials such as
fiberglass, cork and calcium silicate
- insulate hot and cold piping,
refrigerant lines, ductwork, boilers and
tanks
- generally work indoors but also outdoors
- spend a great deal of time working while
on their feet
- often work in dusty and dirty
environments
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Characteristics Needed:
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| Good people skills |
Like to work with your hands
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| Attention to detail |
Mechanically inclined |
| Good communication skills |
Comfortable with formulas |
| Ability to work well with others
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Enjoy working indoors and outdoors |
What Do Insulators Do?
Insulators fit a wide range of materials
into buildings and homes, including fiberglass,
cork, and calcium silicate. Additionally, they
sometimes insulate hot and cold pipes, as well
as heating and refrigeration systems. Insulators
must be able to measure and cut carefully. They
also should be comfortable with saws, pliers,
stapling guns and adhesives.
Working Conditions
In addition to being in a dusty working
environment, insulators also need to work in a
wide range of temperature conditions. Insulators
must pay specific attention to safety, by
wearing ventilation masks and keeping their work
areas well ventilated, because the materials
used in insulation can often cause problems in
the eyes, respiratory system and skin.
Interest and Temperament
Insulation work requires more coordination
than strength. People should like to work with
their hands and be able to work on ladders as
well as in tight spaces. General
Qualifications
- Minimum age of seventeen and a half
Educational Background Recommended
- Math, mechanical drawing, metal
working, industrial arts
Apprenticeship Admission
Requirements
- High school diploma or G.E.D.
(provision of high school transcript
or G.E.D. certificate/score sheet)
- Interview
- Copy of birth certificate
- Valid driver’s license
- Tests
- Operates under an “Eligibility
List” System
Terms of Apprenticeship
Training
- Apprenticeship shall be five
(5) years
- Minimum of 7500 hours of
on-the-job training
- Minimum of 144 hours of
related classroom instruction
per year
- Probationary period six (6)
months
- Indentured to Joint
Apprenticeship Committee
- Raises every six months if
training hours are secured
Related Job Opportunities
Supervisor, shop superintendent,
insulation contract estimator,
business owner |
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