Roof tiler

Amanda Grant

Gavin McGarrity didn’t expect his dream career to fall at his feet at just 16. After leaving Nepean High in Year 10 he was offered an apprenticeship as a roof tiler after working with a local contractor for just a few days. He then completed a four-year roof tiling apprenticeship, which included a three-year TAFE course in the Blue Mountains.

Eager to get ahead, McGarrity obtained his roof tiling licence and started his own business, Ready Roofing, straight away.

“I moved my way up the ranks pretty quickly and built a lot of contacts early on,” he says. “When I started out I did a lot of maintenance, renovation and re-roofing work.”

Now 35, he runs the show. He employs seven tradesmen and works with 10 self-employed contractors at his Penrith-based tiling company. His younger brother, Revis, is among his employees.

“My brother has been with me for nearly 12 years,” McGarrity says. “He is now my sales rep supervisor.”

A typical day starts about 5.30 am when McGarrity meets his crew to plan the day.

“We split into teams of two and four and go to different sites,” he says. “There is a lot of opportunity around Sydney, especially in the Blue Mountains. Renovations have been in demand so we have been spending a lot of time out there lately.”

McGarrity and his team also do a lot of storm work fixing leaks, and maintenance outdoors for local councils.

Flexibility is an important quality for a roof tiler, he says.

“There is lots of freedom; always travelling to different locations,” he says. “It’s really flexible. If one of the boys wants to stop over along the way between sites they can. When I take on apprentices they tend to stay with us. They really like the freedom in the job.”

Another upside to the job are the wonderful views from the work sites.

“In the Blue Mountains you can see the water and the valleys – not to mention the Three Sisters,” McGarrity says.

Worker safety is his number one priority.

“Working on roofs is a lot better and safer today than what it was when I started, especially with WorkCover. Getting to higher places is now a controlled issue as scaffolding practices are used in almost every job,” he says.

It is a career with good prospects for those who want to get ahead financially.

“I think it is one of those careers where you have the chance to earn the money you want,” he says. “There is always work available in the roof tiling trade compared to a lot of other construction businesses. You have the opportunity to work whenever you want; either weekdays or weekends.”

Despite all the positives associated with the job, apprentices are often hard to track down.

“Roof tiling apprentices are always in demand and I recommend youngsters to give it a shot,” McGarrity says.

“Roof tiling is a trade where you get a lot of satisfaction. At the end of the day you have put a roof over someone’s head.

“It is a great feeling and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

LOVE YOUR WORK
How did you get the job? I started labouring for a roof tiler for two days before he offered me an apprenticeship.

Upside? Being outdoors all the time and getting to travel and learn all the Sydney suburbs … and the money.

Downside? The weather. It is a job that really depends on the weather.