Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

Return to Career Journey By clicking the Return to Career Journey button you will be taken back to the start of this journey so you may make different choices and discover new career opportunities.

Insulators Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors and outdoors icon that represents where Insulators work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Insulators. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Insulators click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Structural Construction

Insulators

work indoors and outdoors

Insulators apply, remove and repair thermal and acoustical insulation (for example, calcium silicate, glass foam, mineral wool, styrofoam, fibreglass) on all types of industrial equipment (for example, duct piping, heat exchangers, tanks, vessels).

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  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Construction companies; Insulation contractors: Industrial plants.

  • DutiesDetails

    Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, insulators:

    • Read blueprint drawings to figure out where insulation needs to be installed.
    • Select amount and type of insulation to be installed.
    • Decide how to install insulation:
      • Spraying.
      • Pinwelding.
      • Wiring.
      • Pasting.
      • Strapping.
      • Taping.
    • Measure and cut insulating material.
    • Install vapour barriers.
    • Apply metal cladding, canvas, plastic sheeting or cement to cover insulation.
    • Remove or seal off old asbestos insulation.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • Potentially hazardous settings.
      • Very hot or very cold temperatures.
      • On ladders.
      • On scaffolding.
      • In small spaces.
      • Use of dusty and/or itchy materials.
      • May need respirators for breathing.
      • May need safety glasses or goggles.
      • May require coveralls.
    • Outdoors
      • May be the same as indoors.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • Possible overtime required to meet construction deadlines.
    • Possible shift work in some plants.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Up to 20 kilograms.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Work well with hands.
    • Able to work in cramped spaces.
    • Able to work at heights.
    • Able to work in hot and cold environments.
    • Enjoy doing precision work (very accurate).
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a certified journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • or able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.
    • If you already have training or work experience in this trade, it might count towards certification.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 3 years.
    • 1517 work hours each year.
    • 7 weeks classroom training each year.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Supervisory positions:
      • Foreman.
      • General foreman.
      • Superintendent.
    • Estimators.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 3,500 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect an annual below average growth of 1.7 per cent from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast about 60 new positions created each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

    Industries employing people in this trade include:

    • Construction.
    • Mining and Gas Extraction.
    • Manufacturing.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $26 to 34 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice insulators earn at least 50 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 per cent in the second and 70 per cent in the third.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Insulators occupational group earned on average from $22.65 to $34.07 an hour.

    The mean wage for this group was $29.51 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails