A pilot scheme in the East Midlands aims to challenge stereotypes in construction. The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) are starting an apprenticeship scheme in the Nottingham area to help women into well paid jobs within the industry.
Apprentices will gain a nationally recognised qualification with the chance to earn upwards of £30k once qualified. TICA are running recruitment days for female applicants in the East Midlands in August – and no prior experience or qualifications are necessary.
TICA want to address the under-representation of women in thermal insulation industry. The apprenticeship offers flexible hours and contracts based on individual circumstances with transport, PPE and tools paid for by the employer.
People often think of a thermal insulator as someone who make your home more energy efficient. Although insulation materials can be found in the home, a thermal insulator works on insulating pipework, ductwork and storage vessels in commercial building sites, schools, hospitals, and energy infrastructure.
Apprentices insulators will gain experience in a workshop setting and out on commercial and/or engineering construction sites learning how to cut and apply insulation material and cladding to pipework. These materials will be lightweight, and a lot of the work will be inside.
Working in and around Nottingham, for an East Midlands-based employer, apprentices will be buddied with another female apprentice working across constructions sites that are commutable/local to their home. Apprentices will have the option of travelling to the TICA National Training Centre in Darlington to complete their training, alongside other apprentices from around the UK, or training locally to Nottingham.
All training to achieve the Level 2 Commercial Thermal Insulation Operative Apprenticeship will be paid for by the employer/TICA. A fully qualified thermal insulator would earn a minimum of £15.55 per hour on a commercial site and £16.63 per hour on an engineering site – with most sites offering hourly bonuses on top of these rates.
In August there will be three recruitment days in Nottingham, where there will be a chance to speak to the team, take part in a practical taster session and ask questions:
To find out more, visit here.
