Apprenticeship

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The intake of Insulator apprentices has been steadily increasing to meet the demand for skilled labour. Between 1995 and 1999, the number of new entrants increased from 116 per year to 192. On the other hand, there has been a very gradual increase in the annual percentage of apprentices who discontinue the program from 9% in 1995 to 17% in 1999. The number of Insulators completing the apprenticeship program each year has been declining since 1997.

According to the survey, most certified Insulators received their basic certification two or three decades ago, and very few Insulators have acquired Red Seal certification. The method of receiving certification varied amongst the survey group with just under half receiving their ticket by means other than completion of an apprenticeship program.

Insulation work can be performed on construction sites as well as in plant environments. The work can take the form of new construction or maintenance. Based on the survey respondents, it would appear that the large majority of respondents work in construction only (78%). Just over 10% work in plant maintenance through a contractor, while 1% is employed by a plant to do maintenance work. Less than 10% indicated they do both construction and plant maintenance.

Those that responded to the survey indicated that almost all of their work is performed in their home province. This pattern is consistent across the five regions. There is some mobility from British Columbia to the Prairies and a lesser amount of movement from the Atlantic Provinces and Ontario to the Prairies. The barriers to working away from home in another province included stress on the family and cost.