Renzo flourishes at Ander Hout

Renzo van der Brand dismantled stained-glass windows when the company he worked for went bankrupt. His autism made it difficult to find a new job. He was unemployed for a year and a half. He recently started a work-study program at Ander Hout. "I'm happier now that I'm back at work and I connect with people more easily."

In the first few conversations with Werkse! Renzo was asked what he enjoyed doing. It quickly became clear that he enjoys working with his hands and making things. After all, Renzo had done that in his previous job. "Other Wood was the first option mentioned," Renzo explains. "I didn't have much experience with wood, so I started a training program."

Training and internship at the same location

At Ander Hout, they make new products from old wood, such as furniture. They also teach the trade to people who need a new opportunity in the job market. Ander Hout has two locations, in Den Hoorn and Wateringen. Practical training is offered at one location. "There I learn the basics of woodworking, joining techniques, and working with different machines." Renzo is currently doing an internship on Thursdays.

John Waayer, co-founder of Ander Hout, adds: "We collaborate with many different companies, so we can always find a suitable internship and subsequent job for our students. For Renzo, an internship with us was the best option. That's why he now works at our second location on Thursdays."

The co-owner doesn't do much woodworking himself. "I mainly keep things running smoothly here, and I'm good at sanding and holding things. But I leave the actual work to the staff." He enjoys seeing how creative Renzo is. "You can really tell he has experience with stained glass. He recently made a wooden box with a stained glass top. I think it's really cool that he combines techniques to create new products."

Smart at work

While working, Renzo receives guidance from Jefta Dekker, a workplace instructor and artisan furniture maker. "Renzo has grown in the weeks he's been working here. He's started making jokes, becoming smart, and regularly uses me for that," Jefta laughs at Renzo. "That's a sign to me that he's comfortable. He's really blossoming. He's also eager to learn and works hard. It's fun to help him express his creativity in woodworking."

Renzo also enjoys working with Jefta. "He taught me a lot about safety. For example, when you're sawing something, you have to keep your hand closed. You do this by placing your hand in a flat fist, with your fingers facing inward. If something goes wrong, you won't suddenly lose your finger." He enjoys both locations, but prefers the training location. "You get to try more there and work more slowly. At the internship location, it's more about production, and I really have to work hard."

Moving mountains with a common goal

Now that he works at Ander Hout, Renzo has little contact with Werkse!, but he says: “They really helped me. Werkse! made sure I got papers stating that my autism makes it difficult to find a job. And they put me in touch with Ander Hout. Without them, that probably wouldn't have been possible." John also works well with Werkse!"We share the same goal: to make people happy and get them connected again. With a shared goal like that, you can move mountains."

Renzo's training and internship at Ander Hout still have two and a half months left. After that, he hopes to find a job in woodworking. Renzo hopes he can stay at Ander Hout. "I don't really like change. Besides, I like it here." John can't say for sure whether that will actually happen. "We don't have the capacity yet to have everyone from the training program work here, but we'll make sure Renzo finds a good job. Maybe here, maybe somewhere else, but definitely in a place that suits him."