Apprentices hone skills while making holiday decorations

During the 2021 Christmas season, apprentices from several Locals spent time on a fun and creative project to display holiday spirit. 

Using common mechanical insulation materials and techniques used on the jobsite, apprentice teams worked together to design and build festive Christmas decorations.

The following images and descriptions were submitted for publication:

Local 27

The materials used for the candy canes are red, white and green PVC jacketing. The insulation used was 2” × 1” styro pipe covering. The Christmas tree is made of a piece of 2” × 1” fiberglass pipe covering, the 45° bevels are made of green PVC. The snowman is made of flat sheets of Armaflex rubber, and his hat is made of a piece of 10” × 1” fiberglass pipe covering and fiberglass board.

His smile and buttons are made from 10-gauge square washers. The presents are made from fiberglass pipe covering and fiberglass board and PVC. The wreath is made up of 4” × 1” styro pipe covering and 0.016” stucco embossed metal jacketing.

Thank you to the Local 27 third-year apprentices who created these items on a December weekend: Jesse Cook, Anthony Cross, Danielle Doneyson Norman, John Chris Herrera, Chase Huggard, Marquis Kenison, Colton Kocher and Jacob Wiley.

Local 39

PVC piping was used for the frame of the wreath, which was insulated with Styrofoam pipe insulation and installed red and white PVC jacketing. The Local 39 was fabricated out of 3M venture clad. A lighted Christmas wreath and bow were installed to finish the project.

The third-year apprentice class of Kyle Miller, Christian Trinidad, Patrick Banker, Nate Davis and Ryan Noble made the wreath.

Local 131

The materials used to build the decorations were stainless steel wire, smooth and stucco embossed aluminum jacketing and inexpensive Christmas lights and decorations. “This group of level ones not only took the challenge, but far exceeded what they thought they could do,” said Local 131 Instructor Jeff Richard. “The work ethic and determination, alongside of the respect and brother/sisterhood this group shared is a notable example of what it means to be union.”

Thank you to the first-year apprentices who worked on this project: Tyson Chase, Corey Melvin, Ryan Charbonneau, Lee Benoit, Matt Hickson and Jessica Savoie.

To see more pictures, please visit the International’s Facebook page (facebook.com/InsulatorsUnion) and view posts from December 2021.