Meet the team at Oak Training....

Mark Grant, Co-Managing Director

Employment background....
I was in the HM Forces Army for six and half years where I was a lance corporal. I then went onto work for CSV in Northumberland where I ran an alternative curriculum for four years, working with students who were struggling to access mainstream education.

I then set up Oak Training back in 2008 with my business partner John and have developed the company to what it is today. We have been lucky to work with some amazing young people from different parts of the country.

About me......
I am a family man who loves nothing more than spending time with the family. I have a little boy, Ewan and a little girl, Charlotte and a beautiful wife Sinead.

In my spare time.....
I love sports and enjoy football, rugby, snooker, walking, climbing and anything that tickles my fancy. 

Anything else we need to know?...
I also indulge in my passion for cribbage on Sunday afternoons at the WRVS. I am also a personal relate mediator for the Clark Clan.



 
John Clark, Co-Managing Director

Employment background....
I have worked in an educational environment for 7 years. I developed, designed and delivered an alternative curriculum to years 10 and 11 within schools in Newcastle upon Tyne; this alternative curriculum supported young people who were struggling to access mainstream education and were at risk of exclusion.

I also have extensive experience working with ASDAN and the Wider Key Skills qualifications and have been delivering the Way Point course to schools across Northumberland over the past year. 

About me......
I am a Duke of Edinburgh leader with vast experience of all elements of the award up to and including silver expedition qualification. I am also an instructor in Team Teach (behavioural strategies and technique training) and finally I am a first aid instructor with St John’s Ambulance and Heart Start accreditation.

I have completed my Certificate in Education and also mountain leader courses to support our organisation. 

I am married and have 5 children Leigh, Carl who works for Oak Training, Hannah, Michael and little Helen. I am married to Susan.

In my spare time.....
I enjoy football and love watching Newcastle United. I like mountain biking and go out whenever I get the chance. 

Anything else we need to know?...
I also take great pride in my favourite hobby of breeding rare chickens in my personal petting Zoo.


 
Adrian Milne, Lead Training Instructor

Employment background....
I served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery for four years where I had a variety of different positions in many sectors after leaving HM Forces where I deliberated on my ideal career choice, including owning my own Landscape Gardening Business for two year. 

I began with CSV Northumberland first volunteering on a variety of initiatives before finally becoming a co-ordinator for The Alternative curriculum provision in south east Northumberland.

I have now settled in my role at Oak Training as an Instructor where I am immensely happy with both the work I do and the environments I work in.

About me......
I volunteer with various youth organisations which inspired me to make education my full time career choice. 

In my spare time.....
I balance my spare time between my family and volunteering which I’m committed too for over seven years.

Anything else we need to know?...
I also enjoy socialising with friends and outward bound activities. I enjoy romantic walks in the rain with the lady of my choice and reading a good book.


 
Carl Clark, Oak Training Instructor

Employment background.... 
I have worked for Oak Training since February 2010, before this I have been in a wide range of careers starting in the building trade as a labourer where I learnt a wide range of skills. Then seeing that the building trade was a dead end I went on to customer services and warehouse management I did this for two years. I then worked at Explorer (Elddis) as a forklift truck driver which I did for two years.

About me......
I am currently in my first year at Northumbria university studying adult education in particular the 14 – 19 Agenda.

I have also completed literacy and numeracy at level 2. I attended Blackfyne Comprehensive School, Consett and achieved 5 A-C Grade’s in GCSE level.

In my spare time.....
I enjoy socialising with friends and family. I also enjoy all outbound activities and like to go surfing as regularly as possible.

Anything else we need to know?...
I’m 6’5” and my nickname is GIGANTOR.