Next Generation of Glaziers | Family Business

Gavin & Kyle - apprentice glazier

McLeod Glaziers are proud to be a family-owned and run business, with family values at the heart of all our operations.

Throughout our history, we have employed several members of the same family, in a variety of different roles across our business.

Our latest addition to our family business has even more significance.

In August we were delighted to welcome Kyle Maclean, aged 17, to McLeods as our latest Apprentice Glazier.

Kyle’s dad, Gavin, is our Operations Manager and Derek, our CEO is Kyle’s Great Uncle.

McLeod Glaziers are committed to employing local people and playing our role in helping nurture the next generation of talent.

Kyle, from Perth, will be working directly alongside our team of glaziers, who together have over 100 years of experience. This is a great opportunity for Kyle to learn from the very best and accelerate his career within a very specialised sector.

Kyle is following in both Gavin’s and Derek’s footsteps, as they both initially started out in McLeods as glaziers/installers, before progressing into management and CEO roles, respectably.

Interestingly, Kyle previously did work experience with us back in 2017, during his time at Perth High School. It was this experience that gave him a taste of what we do here at McLeods and kick-started his ambition of becoming a fully qualified glazier.

We caught up with Kyle to learn more about his experience in the first few months of his role as an Apprentice Glazier:

Kyle on work experience, 2017
Kyle’s first completed solo project as an Apprentice Glazier, 2021

Q. How have you found the first few months of your apprenticeship?

“It’s been good, I’ve really enjoyed it and have learnt so much already”

Q. Why did you want to follow in your dad’s footsteps and become a glazier?

“I always enjoyed hearing about his stories and seeing photos of projects he’d worked on in the past. I also enjoyed the work experience I had at McLeods and this made me want to learn more”

Q. What sort of work have you been doing each day?

“I’ve been out with the other glaziers working on the installation of balustrades, double glazed units & mirrors. Back at head office, I’ve been cutting glass to size, polishing mirrors and general housekeeping of the workshop”

Q. Favourite part of the role & hardest part?

“My favourite part of the role so far is the larger projects that need 3 or 4 glaziers to complete. The hardest part of the job is “Hacking Out” timber frame windows”

Q. What’s it been like working alongside our experienced glaziers?

“It’s been very good – they’ve been brilliant with me and have taught me so much already. Although, being the youngest and newest member of the team, I’ve had to put up with the traditional workman banter and jokes…”

Gavin also commented on Kyle’s progress and what it’s been like working alongside and managing his son at work,

“Kyle is doing really well and improving his skills each week. The feedback from the experienced glaziers on his progress has been fantastic. I’m confident he will be a key part of our team for many years to come.

Also, managing him day-to-day at work has resulted in an improvement in his behaviour at home – Kyle knows if he winds me up at home then he will be put on the harder, furthest away projects the following week…”  

Once again, everyone at McLeods would like to give a warm welcome to Kyle and we look forward to having you as part of our team for many more years to come.