Tate McGarry

Biography
I chose Cabinetmaking as a career because I’ve gravitated towards it ever since I was young. I love working on projects from beginning to end. There is nothing like seeing the image in your head turn into reality. In the future, I’d like to have my own shop and build custom furniture.

I initially got involved with Skills competitions through my shop teacher in high school. For me, the competitions were always stressful but in hindsight I can also say they’ve been positive and powerful learning experiences. After winning the gold medal at the Skills Canada National Competition 2025, I was really excited to learn that I’ll be competing as a member of Team Canada at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. The biggest challenge will be the complexity of the project at the international level. But after all my training and preparation, I’ll be determined to prove myself and see how far I can go.

Interesting Fact
I really enjoy skiing in the winter.

Skills for Success
Problem Solving is the most important skill for my trade. When you’re working on a project it will never go 100 per cent according to plan. You need to immediately course correct when something doesn’t work out. Being able to overcome any setbacks and not let them affect my work will be essential during the competition.