AN OUTDOOR activity centre is recruiting young people to bring vigour and enthusiasm to the business.
Richard Wilson, manager and founder of Turbo Venture, said the role would suit a young person studying for their GCSEs.
The role
Turbo Venture in Matfen is searching for a young person interested in engineering and the outdoors to work weekends and holidays as an assistant instructor.
The independent business, which is the longest-established multi-activity provider in the Northeast, offers outdoor activities including archery and quad biking, for small groups or parties including stag dos.
"Young people bring vigour, enthusiasm, new ideas and are available weekends when we are busier, and older people are likely to have other commitments," Richard explained.
The business has been running for approximately 30 years and is located on the Matfen Hall estate beside Go Ape, another outdoor adventure company which runs tree-top courses.
“They would be taught to handle quad bikes, how to shoot and paintball. We teach them the holding and aiming, everything to do with rifle shooting.”
The ideal applicant would have initiative and ideas to improve how things are done.
“They can bring a new approach to things, you get so easily stuck in your ways.
"That's the thing with young people, they've got enthusiasm, they've got familiarity with technology and quite often they will come up with new ideas."
Richard said the role would involve helping an adult instructor and learning about the activities offered.
“It takes them out of their normal school and home environment into the outdoors, doing something completely different. It’s refreshing, it’s like a combination of scouts and cadets and guides but working with adults.
“They do have responsibility and they will be taught to instruct. That helps self-confidence hugely."
Career opportunities
The businesses' rural location shouldn't prevent anyone interested from applying, as Richard picks people up from Corbridge train station or elsewhere if they can't drive.
Richard added the position would be good for those interested in pursuing a career in the outdoors, engineering or those looking for valuable work experience.
The current assistant instructor, Oscar Mitchell, 17, has helped with the business since he was 15-years-old.
“He is the one we are losing to university at the end of summer. He is the one whom we seek to replace, and it could either be a boy or a girl,” Richard said.
The business has a proven history of helping young people gain a foothold in the engineering industry.
"They've got to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. If they hide under a table all the time they're no use to us," Richard said.
Josh Newton, now 27, is originally from Stamfordham and began helping at Turbo Venture when he was aged 15.
Now, he is a fully qualified mechanical engineer working in the defence industry on special projects.
Callum Eldrington, 17, is from Ponteland and is studying marine engineering. Richard said Callum helps out while learning about tanks and quad bikes.
“It’s a rarity to find these people coming forward and offering themselves, sometimes it’s through their parents or through their family.
“Or maybe they’ve been part of a group that’s come here to do an activity and they’ve stood out and they’ve been keen to come back.
“There’s probably hundreds of people up here who would love to do this, but they’re not aware of us. I don’t pay anybody to do marketing. People hear about us through recommendation or just by chance.
“If we could get sixth form students to come here and look around, I guarantee in every group there would be several people who would want to help and learn about paintball and quad bikes.”
The business employs staff including Andrew, who is a firearms dealer, engineer and farmer, and helps maintain the vehicles and assists with rifle training.
Richard also employs freelance instructors to help during busy periods.
On the screen
Turbo Venture and its vehicles have also featured in film and television.
The business's hovercraft is an Osprey 5-man rescue hovercraft, the same model which featured in the James Bond film Die Another Day (2002) and can be hired for private or commercial use.
Filming took place on the premises for Geordie Shore and the TV series Bangers for Cash.
Some of the Geordie Shore cast were involved in blindfold driving, where the driver must rely on the passenger's directions while wearing blackout goggles.
The cast was also involved in tank driving.
Applying
For young people who wish to apply for the role or for more information, contact Turbo Venture through Facebook or email info@turboventures.co.uk.
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