Opening the door to new talent
How Hyatt Centric built its team with support from HEINEKEN Ireland and AssistiV.
- Employer
- Hyatt Centric Hotel, Dublin
- The challenge
- Staffing and efficiency pressure
- The solution
- Bespoke AssistiV technology and access to a new pool of talent
Staffing and efficiency pressure
Recruiting and retaining good staff remains a top concern for Irish hospitality businesses, which also need to run leaner than ever. Skilled people are hard to find and harder to keep.
Front of house, service, culinary and bar roles are all affected, and traditional recruitment channels keep shrinking. Forward thinking employers are looking where others haven’t yet.
At the Hyatt Centric Dublin, Managing Director Declan Curtis and his team looked beyond conventional recruitment. The result is two new restaurant team members, sisters Emma and Kate, who joined with the support of AssistiV technology.
A wider talent pool and technology that removes the barriers
Declan chose to look beyond a shrinking talent pool.
“We wanted to look beyond the traditional talent pool and consider skilled people who may not previously have been considered for roles in hospitality.”
In 2025, Emma and Kate joined the Hyatt Centric restaurant team, taking orders, waiting tables and serving guests alongside their colleagues. Both had completed a HEINEKEN Ireland programme that trains and upskills people for hospitality roles, and both work with the support of AssistiV.
“The technology has helped them remember their tasks and feel confident doing their jobs,” says Declan. “It has fitted seamlessly into our operations.”
What this means for the Hyatt Centric
“As the business evolves, so does the role and AssistiV grows with it. New responsibilities can be added and demonstrated as Emma and Kate’s roles develop, and managers get consistency without having to supervise every task themselves. This isn’t a fixed, static job description.”
“Everyone on our team understands the importance of what Emma and Kate do, and how much easier it makes their own job.”
Declan Curtis, Managing Director, Hyatt Centric
“Look at the skills and potential that are already out there. Inclusive employment doesn’t have to mean creating a different workplace.”
Why it works for the hospitality industry
Clear, manageable steps
Picture, text or audio prompts through the shift.
No redesign needed
Adapts to existing roles and shift patterns.
Independent, and part of the team
Their own areas of responsibility.
Support available to employers
A wider talent pool
Tailored technology and on the job support
Help to source funding through government grants
Full training for your team
A practical guide to next steps
Identify the tasks
What needs doing in your outlet? Consider a wider talent pool.
Contact AssistiV
We put the right people and support in place, and help you access available funding.
Join the movement
Rolling out nationally, with the ambition of 1,000 jobs by 2030.
Read another story
Hospitality case studyOpening the door to new talent
Declan Curtis, Managing Director Read the case study“Inclusive employment doesn’t have to mean creating a different workplace.”
Hospitality case studyThe role that keeps the lights on
Billy Kirwan, General Manager Read the case study“We got a massive return on investment.”
Have a vacancy? Talk to AssistiV.
We will help you review and access available funding for the technology and support.