The role that keeps the lights on
How the Mardyke Entertainment Complex filled a specialist role on its team.
- Employer
- Mardyke Entertainment Complex, Cork
- The challenge
- A specialist, high volume maintenance role that has to be done right, every day
- The solution
- AssistiV technology supporting a dedicated team member
A job that has to be done properly, before every single night shift
The Mardyke Entertainment Complex is Cork’s premier entertainment hub: date nights, nights out, corporate events, bowling, karaoke, shuffleboard and interactive darts.
None of it works without meticulous, repeatable preparation. The pool and snooker offering alone runs to 21 tables, 350 balls and over 80 cues, all checked, cleaned and maintained before every shift.
For General Manager Billy Kirwan, this wasn’t a job to bolt on to someone else’s role. It needed a dedicated person who could own it. That’s exactly what he found in Jerry, who has a learning disability.
A role built around one person’s strengths
Jerry looks after the complex’s leisure equipment every day: shuffleboards, electronic darts, and all the pool and snooker tables, balls and cues, ahead of every shift.
“Jerry is amazing. He has adapted brilliantly to what he is doing here,” says Billy. “We would be lost without his contribution, because he has a genuinely unique job within the complex.”
“It guides Jerry through his tasks on a one to one basis and shows him what he should be doing next. He’s able to report back in on anything he finds. For us as an organisation, it’s an amazing tool.”
A massive return on investment
“The biggest difference since bringing AssistiV in was that it helped the individual, our staff and our clients, and we got a massive return on investment. I’ve now had five individuals through the programme, and I can highly recommend them without hesitation.”
“They love what they are doing, it brings them enjoyment in every task, and they carry it out perfectly. And it is great to see Heineken Ireland supporting this initiative.”
Billy Kirwan, General Manager, Mardyke Entertainment Complex
“Assistive technology bridges the gap of communication and learning. AssistiV works with the whole picture: the employee, the employer and the company. Together that’s where you make magic happen.”
Billy’s advice to other hospitality employers
“When I look back at employing someone who’s never worked before, there’s no difference to me in employing someone like Jerry. You train them, you coach them, you look at what they do, and assistive technology bridges the gap.”
“If you are considering it, go to your nearest AssistiV team and see how it works. Give it a go.”
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.
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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.