The recent earthquake in New Zealand has highlighted the need for the country to address skills shortages, it is claimed.

According to BusinessDay, the nation is seeing talent gaps in sectors such as the construction and engineering industries, which have become more acute since the city of Christchurch was struck by the tremor on February 21st 2011.

Chief executive of the Registered Master Builders Federation Warwick Quinn remarked: "We know in six months' time we are going to need everyone we can get our hands on for the best part of a decade."

Tens of thousands of homes need to be repaired or reconstructed in Christchurch and experts predict skilled workers will have to be brought in from overseas, but Mr Quinn warned Japan is also facing a huge program of rebuilding following the tremor and tsunami that struck the north of the country earlier this month.

In addition, the news source notes fields such as accountancy, hospitality, education, healthcare, management and science are all experiencing gaps in the numbers of professionals required.

New Zealand saw unemployment climb during the fourth quarter of 2010 to 6.8 per cent, rising by 0.4 per cent during the three months.

Posted by Sarah Dixon