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The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) joins European Industrial Insulation Foundation to share best practice

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) joins European Industrial Insulation Foundation to share best practice

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has joined the European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EiiF), which promotes the use of industrial insulation as an accepted means of achieving sustainability. TICA, the sole UK trade association representing contractors involved in the application of hot and cold insulation, became a member of the

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Ofsted Grades TICA Apprenticeship Provision 'Good' Across All Areas

Ofsted Grades TICA Apprenticeship Provision ‘Good’ Across All Areas

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been praised by Ofsted for creating an inclusive learning environment, which allows apprentices to “develop and flourish.” Inspectors who visited the TICA training facilities over three days during October rated it as ‘good’ across all five areas: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour

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TICA set to recruit record number of apprentices

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is on track to train a record number of apprentices this year. It would normally expect to enrol between 60 and 80 a year but the 2022 figure already stands at around 130. Demand from employers for skilled apprentices is being fuelled by an

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

tica

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) joins European Industrial Insulation Foundation to share best practice

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) joins European Industrial Insulation Foundation to share best practice

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has joined the European Industrial Insulation Foundation (EiiF), which promotes the use of industrial insulation as an accepted means of achieving sustainability. TICA, the sole UK trade association representing contractors involved in the application of hot and cold insulation, became a member of the Switzerland-based not-for-profit organisation to share best practice – which includes gaining access to its TIPCHECK Programme. Standing for Technical Insulation Performance Check, TIPCHECK is a high quality thermal energy auditing tool in line with EN 16247 and ISO 50002, used to evaluate the performance of industrial insulation systems. It can be applied to existing facilities, planned projects and retrofits and is able to identify efficiency improvements and safety risks. Since its foundation in 2009, EiiF has established itself as a resource for industries seeking to reduce CO2 emissions and save energy. Its activities are focused on raising awareness of the multiple benefits and cost-effective nature of industrial insulation. It is comprised of more than 60 leading industrial insulation companies from global players to small and medium-sized companies and consultants. Chris Ridge, TICA’s Technical Policy Manager said: “The opportunity to share knowledge and experience with the EiiF network will be an important factor as we seek to promote thermal insulation best practice in the UK. “Tools such as TIPCHECK can, and should, play a significant role in decarbonising the UK energy and industrial sectors. “However, with 23% of UK total carbon production tied in with heating of buildings, TIPCHECK could also play a key role in highlighting the energy saving potential of thermal insulation in building services applications. “As a tool, TIPCHECK can help to highlight the energy and financial savings that can result from insulating pipework correctly. This is good news for the thermal insulation industry, and good news for clients who wish to reduce energy consumption, costs whilst benefiting the wider environment – a real win-win”. Andrea Guertler, EiiF’s Foundation Director, added: ““We are very happy to count TICA as an EiiF Member. Cooperation between TICA and EiiF will greatly benefit both organisations, bringing user-friendly digital tools with the focus on sustainability to the TICA curriculum and at the same time promoting TIPCHECK and EiiF to UK contractors. “Most importantly, our co-operation will fulfil one of our foundation purposes: supporting the young generation with education and training.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Ofsted Grades TICA Apprenticeship Provision 'Good' Across All Areas

Ofsted Grades TICA Apprenticeship Provision ‘Good’ Across All Areas

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been praised by Ofsted for creating an inclusive learning environment, which allows apprentices to “develop and flourish.” Inspectors who visited the TICA training facilities over three days during October rated it as ‘good’ across all five areas: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and apprenticeships. TICA, which formed in 1957, provides access to the best industry training for levy-funded apprentices throughout the UK at its National Training Centre in Darlington. At the time of the Ofsted inspection, it had 153 apprentices enrolled on its apprenticeship programmes – 43 on the Level 3 standard for industrial thermal insulation technicians, and 110 on the Level 2 standard for commercial industrial thermal insulation operatives. The report said that the training is conducted in “very well-resourced workshops” with trainers, many of whom are time-served thermal insulator technicians, while describing the level of practical work produced by apprentices as “very high.” It praised the trade member organisation for designing a “well-planned and sequenced curriculum” that ensures apprentices build up strong skills over time. The report added: “Leaders have achieved this by working closely with employers to devise bespoke training that meets the principles and requirements of the apprenticeship programme. “Employers benefit from and are right to value the training that their apprentices receive and recognise the positive contributions that apprentices make to the business.” Apprentices attend training on a residential basis for two weeks every three months which, the inspection team said, “allows them to be taught substantial new knowledge and skills while working on projects with like-minded committed apprentices.” It added that: “Trainers support apprentices well” and provide “effective feedback” on the quality of their work and should an apprentice be identified as struggling, they receive “effective additional support.” It concluded that the programme leaders have created “an inclusive environment in which all apprentices are able to develop and flourish.” Marion Marsland, chief executive of TICA, said: “I’m delighted that the inspectors acknowledged our high standards, excellent training facilities, and the effectiveness of our programmes that allow apprentices to quickly gain both practical skills and valuable technical knowledge. “It is also gratifying to note that TICA has developed an effective curriculum that promotes a positive and supported attitude to learning. I hope this Ofsted rating further highlights the exceptional training we provide and encourages more apprentices into the industry to help solve an historic skills shortage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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TICA set to recruit record number of apprentices

The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) is on track to train a record number of apprentices this year. It would normally expect to enrol between 60 and 80 a year but the 2022 figure already stands at around 130. Demand from employers for skilled apprentices is being fuelled by an ongoing boom in construction projects, combined with a post-Brexit exodus of EU workers. The sector has traditionally relied on recruiting self-employed contractors, many of whom hailed from eastern Europe, as a cost-effective and flexible way of bridging the skills gap. Due to the increased demand from within the sector, TICA launched an additional January intake for its Thermal Insulation Apprenticeships, which attracted 31 people, and is on track to recruit more than 100 apprentices to the September intake at its National Training Centre in Darlington. The only trade association representing the thermal insulation industry, it is also the sole provider of the industry’s Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeship standards. These involve a mix of on the job training, supported by classroom and workshop-based learning, allowing apprentices to gain the technical knowledge and practical experience to gain a nationally recognised qualification relevant to the thermal insulation industry. Marion Marsland, chief executive of TICA, said: “There is currently a dearth in independent insulation contractors due to a combination of Brexit and the pandemic – which has created a general shortage of qualified thermal insulation engineers. “The industry has always trained apprentices, but never on a sufficient scale and there has been a self-fulfilling reliance on agency contractors working a day rate. “Many companies in the UK now recognise the benefits of retaining the skills and knowledge by employing people directly. Recent events do seem to be changing the industry’s mindset away from the self-employed model.” TICA also provides its members with a full apprentice recruitment service, writing and placing apprenticeship vacancy adverts, providing an initial sift of applicants, and arranging interviews.

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