Meet Jake Lahousse, Apprentice
INTERVIEW by JENNY SPARKS, CLIENTS RELATIONS MANAGER
Name, and could you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Jacob Lahousse (he, him, his), and I consider myself artistic and creative, and I like to work with my hands and learn new things.
What’s been your favorite thing about this program?
Just the opportunity to explore a new trade, and you know, work as a team.
What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
You know, it was probably the most tedious project, because there was a lot of work to do, but the one with the barriers, fences, and tents (This is preparing the kits for PVD Cares Afurea- the Take it Outside kits for local businesses.) There were just a lot of parts to it and it’s coming out really good. Different artists have different styles of how they do their art. And there was diversity between the different people working on the project as well as me, John, Kendra, and Marco. We worked on preparing it for all of them (the artists decorating the kits) which was fun, hard work, and I liked it.
What’s something new that you learned?
The basics of welding, and to be a little more confident in myself and just trying to go out of my way to take initiative to do things.
What are your hopes for your future?
I’m hoping to learn more about welding and possibly going to, I dunno, I’ve always wanted to go back to school. And I’m working on getting my own place and a new car. I’ve just got a lot of stuff that I need to do.
Any advice to people who may be interested in this program?
If I were to give someone advice, I would say, don’t be afraid to try something new, because you might find out that you liked it a lot more than you thought you would.
Some fun, rapid-fire questions
Favorite Food
I like steak tips.
Favorite Book
I’d either say the Alchemist by Paolo Coelho or there’s one called… it’s about a World War 2 pilot… It’s Unbroken. He used to be a famous runner in the Olympics, he goes through a lot.
Favorite Movie
I’m gonna go back to my childhood for this one: ET.
Favorite Artist/Maker/Inspiration at the moment
I’ve always liked Leonardo Davinci or Vincent Van Gogh.
Favorite tool
My favorite tool in the shop would have to be the plasma cutter.
Anything else you’d like to share with our newsletter readers?
Um, well I’d just like to thank everybody who gave me the opportunity to have this chance to work at The Steel Yard, and thank everybody that believed in me. Specifically, Tim, John, Amber, and you (Jenny). John pushed me to do my best in the program.