The job-brokering scheme has been developed in partnership to help match the recruitment needs of employers to the skills of local employees.

Working with their partners Employment Service, Solotec and Skillswork, the scheme offers a seamless, one-stop recruitment service to local employers.

Pat Sims, Resources manager, says the scheme works because the staff listen to the concerns of employers.

She says: "We know recruitment can be a costly and time-consuming process for employers. We are offering a service which can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual employer, from advertising vacancies, interviewing and short-listing candidates to providing training and funding advice.

"Employers can also take heart from the fact every job seeker registered with Resources will be interviewed and their skills assessed so we can be confident they will be properly motivated and job-ready."

At the launch, at a meeting of employers in March, attendees heard from Richard Hallett of Ferndale Foods, who described his experience of using Resources.

Richard said: "I am extremely pleased with the staff I have recruited. Resources not only found suitably qualified personnel, but also prepared them well and ensured they were highly motivated to do the work.

"I would have no hesitation in recommending Resources to any local employer."

Resources offers:

l A fast-track recruitment process which understands employers' needs and matches suitably trained, qualified and motivated applicants;

l Reduction in recruitment costs. Resources can market vacancies and short-list candidates for employers;

l Help to provide funding to meet the cost of recruiting and training staff;

l Tailored solutions for training your staff;

l Freeing up bosses' time to run their businesses while Resources helps recruit staff.

To take advantage of this scheme and register any vacancies, or to find out more about Resources, call Pat or Marion on 020 8310 2149 or visit the Bexley council website at www.bexley.gov.uk