The Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) promoted the mechanical insulation industry and mental health awareness at the 2025 Insulation Industry International Training Fund Joint Apprenticeship Conference.
Held in Chicago from June 23 to 26, the JAC brings together the leadership of the Insulator Union’s Registered Apprenticeship Programs from both the United States and Canada to discuss advancing training concepts and exploring new technologies to help produce the world’s best mechanical insulator workforce.
Not only did LMCT representatives update JAC Delegates on LMCT initiatives, but they also reinforced YouTurn Health, Inc., as the primary professional to administer Insulators Membership Assistance Program (IMAP) services.
The delegates had opportunities to meet and interact with IMAP representatives. They also received IMAP outreach materials containing information about the program, which is available to all Insulators Union members and their families.
Julee Smith, YouTurn Health Vice President of Operations, and Celia Hamilton, YouTurn Health Sr. Director of Marketing, spent three days offering their wealth of IMPA knowledge to Delegates, union officials and contractors.
“YouTurn Health is proud to serve as the professional provider for the Insulators Member Assistance Program,” said Smith. “The number to call is 1-855-411-IMAP (4627). We look forward to earning your trust and supporting your membership.”
This was the first time Hamilton attended the annual apprenticeship conference, and she was pleased with the interaction and cooperative spirit among the training professionals.
“The critical thing to me was that we didn’t have to convince anyone that it’s essential to talk about mental health with their apprentices,” she said. “They already knew it. I left this conference confident that the passion of these leaders, combined with our resources and support, means we can make a significant impact relatively quickly.”
Rich Jones, YouTurn Health Chief Clinical Officer, presented at the conference. He spoke about YouTurn’s willingness to visit Local Unions and training centers to speak to members and their families. Jones made a passionate plea to help IMAP connect with the apprentices.
He explained that it is not a coincidence that a safe workplace is also a productive one. Workers need to be prepared for the challenges they face several times a day, whether by applying the safety procedures they have learned or by using the proper product application for a particular task. Empowering personnel with the knowledge to resolve physical or psychological issues will inherently increase their performance by creating a safer work environment.
“We are thrilled to continue our work with the Insulators Union,” said Jones. “The Local Unions and their respective training programs are willing to take action and invest in their people. That’s refreshing.”
LMCT Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist Jim Petrides, CEM, CEA, CTII, CIEA, addresses the 2025 JAC.
Besides mental health, LMCT Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist Jim Petrides, CEM, CEA, CTII, CIEA gave the conference an update on other LMCT initiatives.
He told the delegates that having construction personnel think more than five minutes ahead is something apprenticeship programs can implement to affect the bottom line. It is the preferred culture because investing in training and educating the workforce will reduce injuries and increase performance.
“Our training programs do a great service intellectually utilizing concepts of efficient and productive workers and reducing mental obstacles will only enhance that process,” Petrides said.
During his report on the LMCT, Petrides explained how the LMCT is structured, discussed industry promotion at trades shows and spoke about several other programs the organization offers. He also highlighted several key initiatives, including the importance of Firestop training and the potential for Local Unions to hold Firestop Market Recovery Program (FMRP) classes.
“We cannot stress enough the importance of improved Firestop technologies for everyone’s lives,” said Petrides. “We all need to stress the importance of Firestop training and Firestop contractor development, which is what we offer with the Firestop Market Recovery Program. The FMRP is a specialized interactive session that brings together labor and management to develop a strategic plan to capture the Firestop market in a particular area.”
Petrides then provided an update on the LMCT’s political advocacy efforts, including legislative updates on the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act and the Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act.
“We are working on multiple pieces of legislation to reduce government costs and reduce energy usage for commercial and industrial customers through Mechanical Insulation,” he added.