International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 58 has gained 18 new apprentices after they completed a pre apprenticeship course in Montreal.
The prospective tradesmen and tradeswomen all chose to join Insulators Local 58 after completing the course, which takes nine months.
With the completion of the course, the Insulators Union has shown its dedication to training and ensuring the next generation of Insulators complete all of the proper training, even in the middle of a global pandemic and the issues that came with it.
The program is set up to equip potential apprentices with entry level knowledge and skills of the trade. They gain experience and knowledge by learning through classroom instruction, as well as hands-on training situations.
In Canada, the training center must remain union-neutral, meaning they are not attached to any one Local Union, but rather the teaching center for the Red Seal certification program. On the final day of class, representatives from the various Local Unions in the surrounding area descend on the training center in an attempt to pick up new members.
Once in the training center, the representatives from each Union are permitted to deliver a 15 minute speech to the students. This time can be used to pitch benefits packages, work outlook, training schedules or anything the representatives feel may attract new apprentices.
The next step is for the new Insulators Local 58 apprentices to complete the apprenticeship program and turnout as journeymen.
You can learn more about the Insulators Union apprenticeship program and how to become an apprentice with Local 58, here.