Recently Local 110 completed the first eight week insulator pre trades program. The class started out with fifteen students that had limited to no experience in the trade.

Over the eight week period Local 110 Training Coordinator Dan Annett provided the students with equivalent training as Alberta Insulator Apprentices would receive from Nait or Sait, with additional focus on safety, material installation and Local 110 pride and history. In addition to the in class training and extensive hands on training in Local 110’s shop each student completed H2S alive, OSSA fall arrest, OSSA confined space and monitor, OSSA elevated work platform, OH&S asbestos removal, CSTS 09, standard first aid, and fire stop Level 1. With all the training provided these starter apprentices now have the skills to be productive assets on site and have a positive start to becoming long term members of Local 110.

The plan for this program was to provide the pre apprentices with not only the basic skills required of an apprentice for our trade but to also give them the technical training so that they would be able to challenge and pass the Alberta Industry Training (AIT) first year insulator provincial exam. As of today we have not had any of the pre trades people write the AIT first year exam however with all the students completing our final exam with marks above 80% they should have no problem advancing their apprenticeships.

At the end of training Local 110 was able to graduate thirteen students and provide them with apprenticeships and jobs with our signatory contractors.

The top pre apprentice for this intake was Cameron Stav, for his accomplishment Local 110 PITT fund provided him with a full set of tools as per the Insulator Provincial Collective Agreement.Thank you to Doug Johnson Edmonton BA/PITT Fund trustee for taking the time to pick out and purchase tools for not just a job but a career.

With the success of this first pre trades class Local 110 will be continuing the program. Our next class will be starting mid-September 2015. If interested please contact Training Coordinator Dan Annett or Client and Contractor Liaison Kyle Matuk at the Edmonton union office.