An on-line matchmaking service for workers and contractors is aiming to take the stress out of managing construction projects and cut costs.

The new service at www.constructionbible.co.uk is not a recruitment agency but a mechanism whereby principal and secondary contractors can place information about forthcoming contracts.

In turn workers can select projects by area and the type of work which in some cases will cut out the need for travelling and expensive accommodation costs.

The idea was dreamed up by tradesman Dave Storey who suffered problems in putting together teams for projects up and down the country, sometimes at the last minute.

Dave, from Cramlington, put up his own cash to get Construction Bible off the ground. He said: "The site aims to be an online community designed to avoid workers making last minute, frantic mobile phone calls on Friday looking for work on Monday. Members will not have to take the first job that's offered out of desperation and subcontractors will not be left with a half empty van on the way to a job."

Through forward planning, working together and a postcode job search system this online facility avoids the situation where some workers travel hundreds of miles to a job while teams with similar skills from the local area head in the opposite direction.

After a year long period of research and development the site is already up and running with over 1,000 workers enjoying the benefits of what the site has to offer.

Workers can log on the system easily and place their experience including any relevant certificates they may hold. In the same way that a worker's history will be logged, the sub-contractors will have details of their past contracts and performance on the system.

As the system develops an on-line community will open up through the open forum area allowing workers to converse by email. Bosses at Construction Bible believe the system will ultimately drive up skills as workers realise they are missing out on quality jobs because of a lack of training.

Dave Storey added: "This system has been designed to help workers find contracts effortlessly and to reward those with a track record. As Construction Bible grows it owners believe it will encourage more forward planning in the industry to benefit all and will promote training for all."

Construction Bible is in discussions with a number of training organisations about how best to provide the best possible options for its on-line members. As well as work visitors to this site will find help and advice sections, a message board and links to industry organisations, unions, trade organisations and accommodation providers.

Construction Bible will also offer a free email service for those workers who cannot access the internet at home or work. With a Construction Bible email address they can log in to the system from anywhere in the world.

Dave Storey added: "Main contactors can see what work each sub-contractor has undertaken and view their contracting history - all on-line. They can either post details of jobs in an open forum or select and contact sub-contractors by e-mail with details of upcoming jobs and ask for quotes. Sub-contractors can now have the luxury of logging onto Contractors Bible and browsing the work available around the UK. They can also surf the system to find the right workers to take on for a specific job in any given area. As the system develops a wise sub-contractor will be able to use
Contractors Bible as a one-stop service to find the right job and put together the right team."

The system will log all contracts handled by the system which will give a work history for each workman who applies for a job and details of his qualifications.