Thermal insulation engineer
Fit insulation around pipes, boilers and ductwork to help them retain heat.
Also known as: pipework lagger
About the job
What it's like
As a thermal insulation engineer, you'll fit insulation around pipes, boilers and ductwork to help them retain heat. You may carry out jobs in factories, offices, power stations or on ships.
You could also remove old, dangerous materials such as asbestos. You'll often work in tight spaces, or at heights, so it's important to follow health and safety rules carefully.
Your tasks might include:
referring to building layout diagrams so you can plan where to place insulation
deciding what materials to use for each insulation project
preparing and cleaning the surfaces that you're about to insulate
measuring and cutting insulation materials to size
fitting insulation using clips, adhesives or cement
sealing the work area after you've installed the insulation
Green job
In this job, you could be doing work to help the environment. You might:
use environmentally friendly insulation materials like wood fibre and hemp
find suppliers that care about the environment and work in a sustainable way
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) – careers and training section
Construction Skills Certification Scheme – learn more about CSCS cards
Tomorrow's Engineers – careers resources for young people from Engineering UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering
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Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
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Construction and built environment
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- time management
- managing resources
- implementing ideas
- developing a plan
- attention to detail
- working with numbers
- resourceful
- verbal communication
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Design and Manufacture
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Engineering Science
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Maths (Mathematics)
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Physics
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Practical Craft Skills
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Skills for Work: Construction Craft
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Skills for Work: Energy
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Skills for Work: Building Services Engineering
There are a couple of ways you can become a thermal insulation engineer.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Engineering Construction.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you secure a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Mechanical Engineering
Building Services Engineering
Construction Management
Engineering Systems
Use My World of Work's course search to find courses.
Work
You can become a thermal insulation engineer through applying directly with an employer. To take this route, you'll need some skills or experience in a related area, like:
pipe fitting
heating and ventilation engineering
building services engineering
refrigeration or air conditioning installation
You can use the My World of Work job search to look for vacancies.
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry, such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills, are helpful.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a thermal insulation engineer. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent safety passport to train and work on site. You'll need to pass a health and safety test to qualify for this scheme.
You may need to have a driving licence for some roles.
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