P E T-X i C A S E S T U DY Nicola James, aged 42, was working as a sales administrator but lost her job at the end of 2020 due to cuts made within the company she was working for. Due to Nicola’s previous experience as a careers advisor, Stafford Job Centre identified her as an ideal candidate for a work coach role within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). She was then referred to PET-Xi as part of the sector-based work academy, designed to help employers meet their future recruitment needs.
Support provided by PET-Xi Nicola took part in PET-Xi’s Level 2 team leading course, a qualification aimed at individuals aspiring to progress to a team leader position. The course gives learners an understanding of the principles of resource management, planning and allocating work, performance evaluation and the importance of information exchange and feedback. After just two days on the course, Nicola’s confidence and experience led the tutor to put her forward for one of the IAG (Information, Advice and Guidance) positions that PET-Xi was recruiting for. Gary Drake, senior contract manager at PET-Xi, said: “Nicola came across extremely well on the team leading course, interacting often with her classmates and sharing her knowledge and experience. “This impressed Ruth, the tutor leading the course, so much that she contacted me about speaking to Nicola about one of the opportunities we had available. “We interviewed Nicola for an IAG role and she came across brilliantly – it was clear she has a lot of experience and a real enthusiasm to help and support people. “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Nicola to PET-Xi and its fantastic that as a company we have a progression pathway which can benefit learners who have the right skillset and enthusiasm.”
Gary Drake
Outcomes Nicola has just begun her role as an IAG Employment Coach with PET-Xi and is already looking forward to supporting people into employment.
“When I signed up to PET-Xi’s team leading course I wanted to do something to develop my skills and challenge myself. “Being a single mum of three and becoming unemployed during lockdown meant I didn’t have much contact with the outside world and it was starting to have a detrimental effect on me, so it was great to find a course which was really interactive where you could share ideas. “I thoroughly enjoyed the course - I was in a really nice group which had a good atmosphere, and the course delivery was very easy to understand. “I couldn’t be happier that I was approached by PET-Xi about one of their positions. I actually left the sector in 2013 as I had small children and wasn’t able to commit to the additional training and qualifications required by my employer at the time, so it’s a bsolutely fantastic to be back doing something I love.” Nicola James Together we work as one The course Nicola took part in was funded through People Plus, Stoke and Staffordshire Division.
If you would like to do the same course as Nicola we would love to hear from you! To sign up call Ruth Edwards on: 07387 412 952 or email: redwards@pet-xi.co.uk