24,000 extra workers needed

7:42 am on 22 December 2011

A study by the Department of Labour shows 24,000 extra workers will be needed to complete the rebuild of Christchurch.

The study was completed for the Canterbury Employment and Skills Board which was set up to ensure the region does not experience a labour shortage when the rebuild moves into high gear.

With insurance money taking a long time to arrive, the board says people have been slow to take up trades training which they need to take advantage of the boom when it finally arrives.

But it says a large amount of work is already available with demand for workers likely to increase dramatically early in the New Year.