Kevin Weaver
Pontypool,Gwent
Summary
My current role leads the change programme for the Inspire project at Changing Gearz, exploring future delivery models, scoping options, and progressing recommendations for direct delivery activity targeting young people who are, or are at risk of becoming, NEET. I coordinate the programme of direct support for young people referred from within Torfaen, ensuring project workers deliver specialist, needs-led opportunities. I manage four Young People's Delivery Officers who facilitate high-quality, creative activities across Arts, Allotments, and Bike Maintenance for young people aged 11–19 across Torfaen, with the aim of reducing NEET figures through direct project intervention. I have successfully secured and implemented numerous Welsh Government and national grants, including Awards 4 All and British Cycling, totalling £28,000, alongside an individual Children's Co-ordinator grant from BBC Children in Need — the first such position in East Wales. This grant had a transformative impact on the Penygarn community and enabled the organisation to secure three consecutive Children in Need revenue grants. I have extensive experience in meeting grant performance and monitoring requirements, evidenced by sustained funding success. Previous roles at Llantarnam Comprehensive School Learning Zone and Torfaen Training were instrumental in establishing systems enabling young people with acute behavioural challenges to engage in education-linked activities — experience which, combined with my work as an Engagement & Participation Officer, has demonstrated the positive employability impact on individuals from deprived communities with limited educational backgrounds.
Overview
47
47
years of professional experience
Work history
Transition Officer
TCBC Inspire Project
04.2025 - 04.2026
- Reason for leaving: Redundancy
Engagement & Participation Officer
TCBC Torfaen Works CELT Plus
11.2020 - 03.2025
- Reason for leaving: Redundancy
Employment Consultant
TCBC (Torfaen Training & Inspire)
10.2013 - 11.2020
- Reason for leaving: Return to young person involvement
Centre Manager/Children’s C/O
Woodlands field Ltd.
01.2008 - 09.2013
- Reason for leaving: Progression moves.
Sports Dev. Officer/NEETS Support Officer
Llantarnam comprehensive school
06.2006 - 12.2008
- Reason for leaving: Progression moves.
Home to School Transport Officer
Mon. C.B.C.
04.1999 - 06.2006
- Reason for leaving: Career Change
MOT tester / Small machinery Mechanic
Gwent C.C.
09.1979 - 03.1999
- Reason for leaving: Council restructuring
Education
Maths, Technical Drawing, English, Biology, Geography, Metalwork, Art, Woodwork, Arithmetic, Physics
Trevethin Secondary. School.
City & Guilds - Mechanical engineering
Cross Keys College
Trade union Law
Bridgend College
E.T. 01 Adult tutoring course.
Coleg Gwent
Forest school Practitioner (A level)
Archimedes training
Technical Leader – Mountain Bike
CBS Training
Skills
- Strong communication skills across all levels, with a polite, tactful, and diplomatic approach when engaging with management, young people, team members, and coaching staff
- Well-organised and adaptable, with the ability to manage workload effectively and meet targets within strict deadlines
- Self-motivated and confident working independently, using initiative to drive projects forward
- Proven team player with strong problem-solving skills and a determined, resilient approach to tasks
- Enthusiastic and engaging when delivering individual or group work across a range of activities
- Positive, hardworking, and personable across diverse environments
- Broad experience across all aspects of life skills
- In-depth knowledge of local communities and the factors required for them to thrive
Training
- Health and Safety/ Manual Handling, Bridges into work, 1 day
- Rugby union coach levels 1 & 2, WRU, 1 day
- Rugby union referee level 1, WRU, 3 days
- Rugby League club coach, WRL, 1 day
- Midas minibus driving award, BRL, 2 days
- Teach me money management, MCBC, 1 day
- Safeguarding & Equality, Torfaen Training, 1 day
- Secure E-mails, Torfaen Training, 1 day
- Advice and Guidance, National skills academy, 40 hrs.
- Drug Awareness, Gwent Police, 1 day
- Health & Safety, Highfield L2, 1 day
- IOSH, Astutis, 40 hours
- H&S in Construction, Highfields L1, 1 day
- Data Protection, UKATA, 1 day
- Fire warden, Highfield, 1 day
- Asbestos Awareness, UKATA, 1 day
Accomplishments
- Welsh Under 16s Rugby League Coach, 2003–2005
- Welsh Senior Amateur Rugby League Coach, 2003–2005 (Grand Slam Winners 2003 & 2005)
- Pontypool RFC Defensive Coach, 2003–2005
- GB Amateur Rugby League Coach of the Year, 2003–2004
- Manager of community project awarded the Queen's Award, 2008–2009
- Appointed by BBC Children in Need in recognition of community achievements
- Welsh Merit & Championship Winner with Pontypool RFC, 1984–1985
- Cycled John O'Groats to Land's End in seven days (1,000 miles) and 560 miles around Wales, raising £20,000 for charity
Additional Information
A highly experienced professional with a diverse background spanning mechanical engineering, sports coaching, community development, and project management. Following a four-year apprenticeship at Cross Keys College, I built a strong mechanical career with Gwent County Council, developing expertise across a range of machinery before progressing to MOT testing and school transport oversight with Monmouthshire County Council. A subsequent career transition into sports coaching saw me take up a community development role with Pontypool RFC, followed by a position at Llantarnam Comprehensive School, where I identified additional training needs for children with behavioural challenges in line with the national curriculum, developed girls' rugby using innovative coaching methods, and worked with children with special educational needs. As Centre Manager at the NLC, within the Community First area of Penygarn & St Cadocs — funded by the Tudor Trust — I established and financially sustained a social enterprise, managed adult and children's learning programmes, and oversaw the daily operation of a youth complex, play park, multi-use games area, and playing fields, all tailored to the socio-economic needs of the surrounding community. Under my management, Woodlands Field Limited received an international adult learning award (NIACE). A construction workshop piloted in 2007/08 delivered informal training to 147 pupils and residents across plumbing, plastering, carpentry, and basic mechanics, with 31 progressing into further education or employment — a key factor in securing the prestigious Queen's Award in 2008. I have designed and delivered a wide range of community initiatives, including evening programmes for children, outreach summer camps, and a Walking Bus scheme that grew to 155 children across two neighbouring estates. Over thirty volunteers have supported an allotments project that expanded from one overgrown plot to five active sites, attended regularly by schoolchildren and disabled community members — strong examples of sustainable capacity building. In 2012, in partnership with the British Red Cross, I designed and delivered a programme offering seven paid work placements for young people aged 16–18, with five progressing into full-time employment. I have also supported young adults in establishing sole trader businesses, providing practical guidance on business planning and routes to employment.
Personal Interests
I maintain an active lifestyle, covering 35–50km per week on foot, road cycling throughout the summer, and mountain biking during the winter months. I have strong family values and take a keen interest in the career development of my two children. As a homeowner, I regularly undertake DIY projects, and in my spare time I enjoy upcycling and repurposing unwanted materials into functional furniture — recent examples include a feature wall constructed from small metal plates and a sofa built entirely from wooden pallets.
References
On Request
Timeline
Transition Officer
TCBC Inspire Project
04.2025 - 04.2026
Engagement & Participation Officer
TCBC Torfaen Works CELT Plus
11.2020 - 03.2025
Employment Consultant
TCBC (Torfaen Training & Inspire)
10.2013 - 11.2020
Centre Manager/Children’s C/O
Woodlands field Ltd.
01.2008 - 09.2013
Sports Dev. Officer/NEETS Support Officer
Llantarnam comprehensive school
06.2006 - 12.2008
Home to School Transport Officer
Mon. C.B.C.
04.1999 - 06.2006
MOT tester / Small machinery Mechanic
Gwent C.C.
09.1979 - 03.1999
City & Guilds - Mechanical engineering
Cross Keys College
Trade union Law
Bridgend College
E.T. 01 Adult tutoring course.
Coleg Gwent
Forest school Practitioner (A level)
Archimedes training
Technical Leader – Mountain Bike
CBS Training
Maths, Technical Drawing, English, Biology, Geography, Metalwork, Art, Woodwork, Arithmetic, Physics
Trevethin Secondary. School.