A new kind of bank has been launched to help Kent businesses – offering them potential staff, rather than cash.

The Kent Messenger Group (KM Group) has joined forces with IT technology experts Matchwork UK to set up the new service for local employers and residents called CVBank.

Employers register details of their requirements and will then be informed by the system when a person matching their criteria registers their CV at www.kentonline.co.uk/cvbank.

Simon Clubley, KM Group Advertising Director, said: "This is another example of the KM Group using technology and its wide range of resources to bring the local community and businesses together. The CVBank compares the specifications on the CV with the details of all the vacancies. If requirements match, then the CVBank automatically sends the employer the job seeker's CV.”

During the early stages of this process anonymity is important for the job seeker so the employer does not see the personal details, like name and address. But the employer can then e-mail directly to the jobseeker requesting more information or inviting them for an interview. Then it's up to the jobseeker if they wish to reply.

The online service goes live for employers on March 1, but jobseekers can start registering their CVs from February 3.

Clare Muldoon, KM Group Situations Vacant Manager, added: "CVs will stay on the system for 90 days and will only drop off if the job seeker instructs us. The jobseeker receives an e-mail from us asking if they wish their details to remain on the system. It's a great service and the jobseeker is in total control."

Based in Denmark, Matchwork UK is providing the technology to power the online recruitment site. It already supports more than 200 media web sites across Northern Europe.