A NATIONAL training provider based in the city has become a Destination Coventry ‘Patron Member’ to help support the skills needs of the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.
PET-Xi Training and Destination Coventry have already been working in partnership to deliver the Step Into Hospitality pre-employment training scheme, supported by UK Hospitality.
A total of 302 people have progressed across three cohorts through the scheme, with graduates guaranteed an interview for a live vacancy at partner hospitality businesses in Coventry.
PET-Xi Training, headquartered at Westwood Business Park in Coventry, operates across the West Midlands.
It works with schools, jobseekers, students, and employers to help people get the skills they need to gain meaningful employment in various sectors, or to stand on their own two feet as entrepreneurs.
Jake Sexton, PET-Xi Training’s chief commercial officer, said: “Hospitality continues to battle through a difficult period, with economic pressures and a shortage of key skills, and the only way to support the sector is to work together as a collective.
“We are committed to supporting businesses here in Coventry and Warwickshire, and that is reflected in our projects to promote growth in the region, which are funded through West Midlands Combined Authority.
“Coventry and Warwickshire used to be the second most productive region outside of London and we want to help the region get back to that level, and one way to do that is inspire people to pursue careers.”
Mr Sexton added PET-Xi was delighted to strengthen the relationship with Destination Coventry by becoming a Patron member, especially after ‘a resounding success’ so far.
Destination Coventry Patrons are members which have pledged to support the wider destination marketing and management efforts to raise the profile of Coventry and the wider region to national international audiences.
Paul Jones, Destination Coventry managing director, said: “Great teams are the foundation of businesses across our city and the bedrock of the hospitality sector.
“Every day we speak with members who highlight staff shortages, but also how they need staff that can hit the ground running.”
He added PET-Xi had a track record of delivering high-quality training to directly address businesses’ needs and equip people with the skills they need to thrive.
Other Destination Coventry patrons include CV Life, No Ordinary Hospitality Management, Dhillon’s Brewery, Coventry Business Improvement District, Warwickshire County Council, Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust, Events by Amadeus, West Midlands Trains, Birmingham Airport and Coventry Building Society Arena.
