Premier Ewart Brown has officially launched a website helping to match students with future employers.

The Bermuda Student and Graduate Registry, a web-based initiative, using both a database and a registry, will help encourage an information exchange about jobs, careers and other employment opportunities for Bermudians students locally and abroad. The website is www.careers.gov.bm.

The initiative was first unveiled last December by Government and at the time, 10 to 20 employers were onboard with the scheme and Government planned to take the concept on a 'road show' to get more businesses involved.

On Wednesday, Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler said: "Since the site has been launched, this month, there have been 596 hits and 51 employers onboard."

Dr. Brown added: "The concept for the development of this website came as a response to several stakeholder meetings between CURE and employee representative groups.

"At that time employers asked Government to help them locate and work with students, graduates and other Bermudians at various stages of their careers.

"I was also asked, when I visited university students overseas, if I could create a Government tool that would let them know what kind of opportunities were waiting for them. Today the Government is holding up its end of the bargain."

For many years, information from Government's student and graduate register was limited to overseas students and was collected from the Immigration cards of returning students to Bermuda.

Students using the website will also be able to review prospective jobs, download company policies, complete a job application form and connect with the employer.

And employers are able to register online, manage career information, post jobs and connect with students.