Christchurch seeks skilled workers overseas

File photo / Dean Purcell

Earthquake-ravaged Christchurch is holding recruitment drives in England in a bid to import skilled workers to help in the city's rebuild.

Officials from the regional Canterbury Employment and Skills Board (CESB) are in the UK to exhibit at two job expos organised by Opportunities New Zealand.

After a successful drive in London over the weekend, they are now targeting the city of Manchester this coming weekend.

More than 30,000 skilled workers are needed for construction, engineering and IT roles in Christchurch over the next 10 years.

Alex Bouma, CESB's deputy chairman, said British skilled workers would play a "crucial role" in the rebuild.

Mr Bouma said: "There is going to be a huge economic opportunity over the next three to 10 years. The UK expos will play a crucial role in providing businesses with the employees they need."

It is hoped that many workers will be persuaded to move to New Zealand permanently.

The Canterbury Skill Shortage List, compiled by the Department of Labour, outlines a host of required construction and engineering roles ranging from mechanics, electricians, scaffolders, and upholsterers to infrastructure project managers, quantity surveyors, and urban and regional planners.