Heat & Frost Insulators & Asbestos Workers

ORGANIZATION

Local 81 of the International Association of Heat and Frost Workers is located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and serves an area which includes thirty-four counties in Iowa, eleven in Illinois, and three in Missouri. There are ninety-four trained journey persons working out of Local 81. The apprenticeship program has been in existence for 23 years.

The history of the insulation industry dates back to the late 19th Century with the emergence of steam power. Today, with energy conservation efforts within the construction industry, the insulation trade is aimed at increasing operational efficiency and reducing fuel costs.

NATURE OF TRADE

The primary work of the trade involves the application of various insulating materials to hot and cold surfaces. Insulation work is generally associated with larger industrial or commercial projects, such as power plants, chemical plants, nuclear power houses, heavy manufacturing or processing installations including refrigeration. Smaller commercial work includes plumbing, heating and air conditioning insulation on such buildings as schools, churches, apartment complexes, shopping centers, hospitals, and occasionally underground "tunnel" or "ditch" work.

Tools commonly used in the trade include knives, handsaws, trowels, metal cutting tools such as snips, handbrakes, beader and crimping machines. Power tools are also used like handsaws, shears, rollers and welding equipment.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

The primary purpose of the trade is to promote craftsmanship, excellence and safety in the insulation industry. This goal is met through active education and training.

The apprenticeship program emphasizes on the job training and classroom instruction, as well as the use of textbooks and other course materials that give participants a thorough knowledge of the trade. The apprenticeship program is a four-year program during which the participants receive 7,200 hours of on-the-job training of which approximately 144 hours each year is in the classroom. The curriculum is developed by the International, and is taught in a formalized classroom and laboratory environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following are the minimum requirements an applicant must meet in order to apply for an apprenticeship program:

· Must be 18 years of age

· Must have a high school diploma or equivalent

· Must be willing to travel within the territory

· Must be able to furnish references from reliable persons

APPLICATION, SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

An applicant must submit a formal application and provide information requested at the time of submitting an application. There are currently 10 apprentices enrolled in the program. Applications may be received through Local 81. Applicants meeting the minimum requirements will participate in an oral interview with the Joint Apprenticeship Committee. Applicants are then placed on a list, ranked according to score and are referred to apprenticeships, as openings become available.