High-tech artificial intelligence (AI) is to be rolled out at a Kent Jobcentre as part of a six-month nationwide trial to marry jobseekers with local vacancies.

The Government-backed match-making service will start in March at 20 selected sites across England and Scotland - with Maidstone the only place in Kent included.

It forms part of the Government's Way to Work campaign which aims to get 500,000 people back into work.

The technology will pose a series of questions to those seeking work to build up an online profile - this will then be fed into the software, described as 'cutting-edge' by Government chiefs, to point jobseekers in the right direction to existing vacancies or towards a local skills 'bootcamp'.

It will not, however, be mandatory.

Some £1.3million is being invested in the trial.

The sites selected have the largest ratio of vacancies to jobseekers.

To deliver the initiative, the Government is partnering with three firms specialising in job matching artificial intelligence, FutureFitAI, Bayes Impact, and UK jobs board Adzuna.

Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP, said: “Our Plan for Jobs is delivering in the digital age, and we’re supporting our work coaches with the smartest technology out there to help get every jobseeker – at any age or stage – into work faster.

“We’re investing over £1million into improving our services as we push to get help half a million people into work by the summer, boost their income and ensure they can progress in their careers.”

Support from work coaches will continue alongside the new technology, as they assist jobseekers in their journey to employment by discussing any suggestions the online system makes and giving them the confidence to apply.