Engineering - Industrial Insulation - Apprenticeship
Do you enjoy practical tasks and working in a varied environment? A career as an industrial insulator could be what you’re looking for.
| Award Name | Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 6 Advanced Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
The overall duration of this apprenticeship is a minimum of 4 years provided all phases are successfully completed.
Entry Requirements
The minimum age at which the employment of an apprentice may commence is 16 years of age.
The minimum educational requirements are:
1. Grade D in five subjects in the Department of Education & Skills Junior Certificate Examination or an approved equivalent,
or
2. The successful completion of an approved Pre-Apprenticeship course
or
3. Three years’ work experience gained over sixteen years of age in a relevant designated industrial activity as SOLAS shall deem acceptable
It should be noted that these are the current approved minimum educational requirements for apprenticeship programmes, however, previous experience of the following subjects would be an advantage but not essential: Metalwork, Physics, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Technical Drawing/Graphics.
Careers / Further progression
Opportunities on Qualification
On successful completion of the apprenticeship programme, apprentices are qualified to work within the recognised trade or profession.
Where craftspersons have the necessary ability and initiative, opportunities are available for advancement. These include advanced technology courses and management courses which are available in Institutes of Technology, Schools of Management and Professional Institutes.
Many craftspersons use their qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others.
Further information
To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprenticeship employers are formally approved by SOLAS in advance of employing apprentices. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship.
To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies on the Apprenticeship Jobs page at https://apprenticeship.ie/career-seekers/jobs. You can search for vacancies by location and by apprenticeship.
Your local Education and Training Board may hold details of employers seeking to employ an apprentice.
On completion of this four-year apprenticeship, you will become a fully qualified industrial insulator, with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Industrial Insulation.
You may then choose to work as an industrial insulator in the mechanical services sector in areas like air-conditioning; plumbing and refrigeration; power plants; petrochemical; pharmaceutical; chemical; food processing; brewing; and/or distilling. You may also work in commercial and industrial settings such as cold storage, dairy, ship repair industries and fire protection.
Many apprentices use the qualification as a platform to launch careers such as engineers, managers, owners of businesses and instructors amongst others.
What is an Industrial Insulator?
The Industrial Insulator’s job involves measuring, cutting and fitting a variety of insulation materials to pipes, valves, pressure vessels, tanks, ducting, flues or on any hot or cold surfaces for the purpose of thermal insulation, fireproofing or soundproofing. (It also involves) the cladding of the insulation material with suitable coverings such as sheet metal, aluminium, zinc, stainless steel or other specified coverings and finishes, such as, felt, cement, various rubbers, canvas and foils.
Metal cladding involves pattern layout and development of sheetmetal (mild steel, galvanised mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and other alloys) up to 1.2mm and the use of various machines. These patterns would include pipe work, vessels, domed ends, valve and angle boxes, tee pieces, reducers, transformers etc.
The patterns are then fabricated by hand and with the aid of machines.
Industrial Insulator’s require many skills including:
• Working with a variety of specialised hand and power tools
• Operation of a wide range of machinery : Guillotine, folding machines, hand & electric swaging machines, hand & electric rolling machines, electric hand shears, hand drills, rotary shears and lock forming machines.
• Drawing Pattern Development
• Insulating pipe work, ductwork, valves, flanges and pressure vessels.
• Fabrication of all forms of cladding
• A wide range of assembly and finishing techniques - self-securing joints, riveting, fasteners, flanging, swaging and banding
• Knowledge of non-metallic finishing may be joined by adhesives, banding or strapping
• Performing a range of modern cutting processes
• Operation of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery
• Planning, costing/estimating
• Quality and cost control
• Knowledge and application of energy conservation
• Knowledge and application of Health and Safety considerations
Aspects of work
Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
Seeing a job through from start to finish
Comply with Health and Safety requirements
Using tools and operating machinery
Being responsible for controlling or adjusting equipment
Demonstrate good analytical and troubleshooting skills
Understanding technical drawings and diagrams
Being well organised and careful with practical tasks
Keeping up to date with changing technologies
Being physically active
Taking responsibility for own learning, including the allocation of study time
Working in a noisy environment
Passing all your phase exams (theory, practicals skills demonstration)
Earning as you learn
Personal Qualities and Skills
As an Industrial Insulator you will need to be physically active and to be able to work with your hands. An awareness of health and safety and good housekeeping is essential as well as attention to detail.
The Industrial Insulator must have the ability to:
• Plan and organise
• Communicate effectively
• Solve problems
• Work independently and as part of a team
• Show a positive attitude
• Recognise the need for good customer relations
• Demonstrate good work practices including time keeping, tidiness, responsibility, quality awareness and safety awareness
Apprenticeship Training Programme
Phase 1: With Employer
Induction Training with Employer
Introduction to Health & Safety
Introduction to Tools & Equipment
Introduction to Basic Skills
Phase 2: Delivered in Training Centre (20 weeks)
Course Content:
Induction
Sheetmetal and Insulation Fundamentals
Geometry and Pattern Development
Substructures, Advanced Coldwork and Cladding
Insulation—Materials, Science & Applications
Insulation and Cladding of Ductwork and Vessels
Insulation and Cladding of Training Rig
Phase 3: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
Phase 4: Delivered in Educational Colleges (11 weeks)
Course Content:
Geometry and Pattern Development
Insulation Materials and Science & Application
Customised Fabrication and Fitting
Large Scale Projects
Phase 5: With Employer
Work Based Training and Assessments
On successful completion of the programme the learner is awarded a Level 6 Advanced Certificate Craft - Industrial Insulation