ROSEMARY’S STORY
P E T-X i C A S E S T U DY Rosemary Wakibi, aged 25, had been unemployed for a while due to health issues, and hoped to find work in the catering industry. Through the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Thrive Into Work scheme, Rosemary was referred to PET-Xi, which was able to put her onto food and hospitality-related courses while she worked at its Coventry restaurant Metropolis for two weeks as part of the WMCA-funded Commonwealth programme.
Support provided by PET-Xi While at Metropolis, Rosemary gained experience working both front-ofhouse and in the kitchen so she could learn a range of disciplines. She completed courses in food hygiene and customer service all while learning on the job at Metropolis. In addition to waitressing and kitchen work, Rosemary also practiced coffee-making as a barista, and learned the basics of manual handling. Kerri Bowers, Contract Manager at PET-Xi, said: “Rosemary has really wanted to get into the catering industry for a while now, so our restaurant Metropolis was the perfect place for her to get the skills she needed. “She was very enthusiastic about all aspects of her work experience and her courses, and it meant she excelled during her time at Metropolis. “Metropolis was created to give people like Rosemary a chance to earn experience in a proper hospitality setting so they can progress their careers even further. We’re really pleased with how much Rosemary learned in her time at the restaurant.”
PET-Xi HOSPITALITY
Outcomes Thanks to the skills Rosemary acquired while working at Metropolis, she now has a job working at the Coventry Building Society Arena on matchdays serving food and drink to customers. She wants to gain more experience in hospitality before potentially working in a restaurant.
“My training at Metropolis was really useful for me – it gave me the real-life skills I needed to get a job for myself, and it really boosted my confidence too. “PET-Xi’s classroom courses were excellent too. The tutors were very understanding and easy to get on with, and always helped me if I had any problems with anything. “I’m so happy I’m now earning my own money with my job at the Coventry Building Society Arena. Without PET-Xi giving me a chance at Metropolis, I don’t think I’d have got the job. “I’m hoping to build on my experiences and use them to progress even further within catering and hospitality.” Rosemary Wakibi Together we work as one The Commonwealth training programme at Metropolis was funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority to support Commonwealth employers in the hospitality industry.
If you would like to do the same course as Rosemary we would love to hear from you! To sign up call Owen McKendry on: 07387 412 952 or email: omckendry@pet-xi.co.uk