How the U.K. Young Roofers team prepared for Austria

By Gray Gibson, National Federation of Roofing Contractors Ltd.

After proving their skillset, ability to work in a team and eagerness to absorb information, these two young professionals are representing the U.K. at this year’s World Championship.

Editor’s note: The following quotes and information were originally gathered and published in the months leading up to the competition. Check out the RoofersCoffeeShop YouTube channel for the latest updates on the event! 

Joe Gallagher and Tyler Norris have worked hard to improve their speed, measuring techniques and other specifications as they prepared to represent the U.K. during the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) World Championship of Young Roofers in Austria this week. Mentors Bob Coutts and Matt Timby, who have been leading the training at the Center of Roofing Excellence (CoRE), felt confident that these two individuals would be up for the challenge. Here’s some insight into the training process in the months leading up to the event. 

Though training is intense, and both Joe and Tyler are continuing their day jobs, they are both excited for the trip, with Joe commenting, "It's not every day you get the opportunity to go to Austria and represent your country.” 

Both felt that their years in the industry had prepared them for the challenge, and their mentors said they were gelling well as a team and taking advice on board.  

Recently, the group focused on a German-style tile valley using Bieber tiles. However, the tiles proved difficult to source as they are not used in the U.K., and the alternatives they managed to find were the wrong size.   

Bob, who's mentored many teams, said, "We adapt. Good roofers work around problems like this." The mentors’ and trainees' priorities are well aligned, with everyone highlighting the benefits of practice.    

Matt explained that to do well, they'll have to "know the specs inside and out. They won't have so much time to think in the heat of the moment."  

Tyler said they're also spending valuable time learning "exactly how the judges will want it on the day.” 

However, it will not be an easy ride going into their competitor's territory. Bob added, "You're always on the back foot against a host country, especially when we'll be working with German practice, which the Austrians and Swiss also use.” Both mentors think the team will really shine on day three of the competition when they get to work on their own style of project.   

Matt, who has previously competed in and won the IFD competition, reflected on his experience, "The amount of work you have to do in such a short period is immense," but he rates the boys' chances highly. Bob said it was "really nice having young Matt as a junior mentor. After all these years, it's good to be able to pass on the baton."  

Joe from I H Gallagher Ltd and Tyler from Karl Terry Roofing Contractors Ltd were selected for the competition after five finalists chosen from NFRC members were invited to compete at a practical skills competition in July.  

Joe and Tyler are representing the U.K. in Innsbruck, Austria this week where they will compete against teams from Austria, Germany, Switzerland as well as China and the USA.  

NFRC would like to thank Andy Rowlands, Bob Coutts and Matt Timby, as well as CoRE Hereford, for leading the training.  

We would also like to give special thanks to Recticel Insulation for their generous support in sponsoring the UK Team.  

With additional thanks to NFRC Supplier Members for donating materials:  

• Cedral  
• FAKRO  
• Glidevale Protect  
• Recticel Insulation  
• SIG Roofing  
• VELUX  
• SR Timber  
• Wienerberger   
• Additional thanks to Ecological Building Systems 

Original article and photo source: National Federation of Roofing Contractors Ltd