P E T-X i C A S E S T U DY
GRAHAM’S STORY
A Graham Charlesworth, 39, found himself unemployed despite his customer service e xperience, but was able to bounce back quickly after getting in touch with PET-Xi. Graham, who is from Coventry, had worked across a variety of industries from kitchens to factory floors before finding he had natural customer service abilities, but became jobless when his latest contract, supporting the 2021 census, expired. With the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Graham made a claim to Universal Credit and was put in touch with a work coach. With a desire to return to employment quickly, Graham wanted to develop his previous experience and gain other transferrable skills to improve his job prospects.
Support provided by PET-Xi Graham was enrolled on PET-Xi’s City of Culture Sector Based Work Academy, allowing him to improve his knowledge on diversity, safeguarding and health and safety in the workplace, as well as learn more about the local area. He also took part in the customer service programme to update his skills and experience leading to a guaranteed interview with an employer. Harry Craker, Recruitment and Progressions Co-ordinator at PET-Xi, said: “Graham received some incredible feedback following his participation on the City of Culture and customer service programmes and showed great enthusiasm in developing his skills in order to get back into work. “He has a natural customer service approach which makes him an excellent candidate for a variety of occupations, but the qualifications acquired during his time at PET-Xi have clearly boosted his prospects. “He had a clear career pathway in mind and an amazing willingness to learn, and he is a credit to himself for the effort he put into his time at PET-Xi.”
The outcome
Harry Craker
Despite being unsuccessful in his interview, PET-Xi worked with Graham to find employment in a civil service role just weeks after completing his courses at PET-Xi, impressing his suitors across a lengthy recruitment process that included a pre-recorded interview, a 500-word essay, and behavioral scenario test.
PROGRAMME
CITY OF CULTURE
He has now begun his job as a Work Coach for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Job Centre in Nuneaton.
“I knew deep down that I was employable, but needed to take steps to overcome the doubts that had crept in following the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. “The PET-Xi trainers were not only incredibly helpful and very well informed, but also extremely friendly and provided a very relaxed atmosphere for the entire process. “I have since recommended its services to both friends and family who have found themselves out of work or looking for a change of career. “The things I learned and the skills I picked up on their programmes have been vital to me in my search for a new job. I have lots of customer service experience but I was able to refresh my skills thanks to these courses, which made me far more employable than I was before.” Graham Charlesworth Together we work as one The courses Graham took part in were funded via the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
If you would like to do the same course as Graham we would love to hear from you! To sign up call Owen McKendry on: 07387 412 952 or email: omckendry@pet-xi.co.uk