PET-Xi will train unemployed Coventry residents for the creative, digital and tourism sectors, focusing on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, using the UK City of Culture to move the learners into work.
PET-Xi will support residents to secure apprenticeships and events-related jobs across the city in hospitality, production, sales, and customer services.
Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, said: “It is absolutely vital that we use the brilliant opportunity of Coventry City of Culture next year to create local jobs for local people – and that’s exactly what this new £500,000 training programme will help achieve. By upskilling local residents to prepare for Coventry City of Culture 2021, we will help these sectors recover and give some of the most disadvantaged people in the city the support they need to move into work.”
Martin Sutherland, Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “We are delighted that the WMCA’s support will allow PET-Xi to deliver this programme. It will give young people across the city the necessary skills to make the most of the fantastic opportunities Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture will bring.”
Fleur Sexton, Managing Director of PET-Xi Training, said: “We are very grateful to the WMCA for enabling us to help hundreds of local people to fulfil their potential in Coventry in the lead up to and during City of Culture 2021.”