National training provider strengthens relationship with Coventry destination management organisation

A national training provider based in Coventry has partnered with the city’s destination management organisation to help support the skills needs of the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.

PET-Xi Training has strengthened its relationship with Destination Coventry by becoming a Patron member.

The two organisations have already been working in partnership to deliver the Step Into Hospitality pre-employment training scheme, supported by UK Hospitality.

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It has already seen 302 people progress through the programme across three cohorts, with graduates guaranteed an interview for a live vacancy at partner hospitality businesses in Coventry.

PET-Xi Training, which is 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, Chief Commercial Officer at PET-Xi Training, said: “We have been working with Destination Coventry on a number of initiatives over the last year, and it is an organisation that is fantastic for fostering collaboration and bringing people together from across the leisure, tourism and hospitality sectors.

“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.

“We will be working with Destination Coventry to support further training initiatives like Step into Hospitality, which has been a resounding success so far, and we are delighted to be strengthening our relationship as a Patron member.”

Destination Coventry Patrons are members that 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, Managing Director of Destination Coventry, 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.

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“PET-Xi has a track record of delivering high-quality training that directly addresses the
needs of businesses and equips people with the skills they need to thrive.

“We look forward to working with the team in closer partnership to continue to drive positive outcomes for businesses and people seeking to build careers in the sector.”

Destination Coventry’s Patron members also include Warwick Conferences, 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.