A Bovis Lend Lease scheme in Norfolk that matches construction workers with vacancies proves to be a hit.

Bovis Lend Lease has found more than 500 staff to work on its Chapelfield shopping centre in Norwich thanks to the Jobcentre Plus Construction Jobshop. The Jobshop, which opened two years ago, specialises in recruiting construction workers for projects in Norfolk.

Almost 4,500 workers are now on the database. Mark Grimshaw, employment servies director for Jobcentre Plus, said: “It’s not just a Norwich issue, it’s a much wider issue across the country – there is a big need for construction workers.”

The Jobshop database is also being used to place workers on other projects and since it opened over 900 people have found jobs nationwide.

The Chapelfield centre is due to be completed in 2005.