P E T-X i C A S E S T U DY Gayatri Panchal, aged 34, was looking for employment when the Covid-19 lockdown was implemented and was referred to PET-Xi by Coventry Job Centre after expressing an interest in developing her employability skills. Health issues also meant that Gayatri was required to have a back operation which required several months of recovery, so she was able to take full advantage of PET-Xi’s courses which were moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Support provided by PET-Xi Gayatri first attended PET-Xi’s Level 2 IT User Skills before receiving support from Employment Coach Charmaine Jones, who signed her up to the Step-Up programme and conducted a detailed Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) assessment. Charmaine provided CV advice, cover letter support, conducted vacancy searches and arranged for Gayatri to loan a laptop to enable her to c omplete the Sage 50 Professional Level 1 course, which gives participants an insight into accounting as well as the Sage 50 software used across the industry. Charmaine said: “We knew that due to Gayatri’s health issues she would be unable to begin looking for employment for some time, so we worked with her to structure a strong CV and expand her k nowledge on completing job applications and writing cover letters as well as develop her employability skills. “We were able to provide Gayatri with a laptop so she could complete the Sage Level 1 course, and it was fantastic to see her develop an interest in accounting. “Gayatri was extremely motivated and a very willing participant – all of the staff delivering the courses couldn’t praise her enough for her dedication and she’s a pleasure to work with.”