A Christchurch recruitment agency says it will begin advertising in Greymouth this weekend, for skilled staff to help rebuild Christchurch.
The company is targeting 360 workers and contractors losing their jobs at Solid Energy's Spring Creek coal mine.
Solid Energy also intends axing 63 jobs at its Huntly East mine, and 163 jobs at its corporate headquarters in Christchurch.
Civic and business leaders in Christchurch say good quality jobs for willing workers are plentiful as the quake rebuild gathers steam.
Canstaff managing director Matt Jones says there are good jobs at good rates of pay for the right sort of worker.
Mr Jones says fitters, welders, and mechanical and process engineers are all in demand.
He says skilled workers will make good money, and concerns that Christchurch jobs pay only the minimum wage are nonsense.
The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce says there's never been a better opportunity to get work in Christchurch.
It says there are jobs in construction, engineering, and with the hundreds of road crews around the city - which would sit comfortably with miners who lose their jobs -as well as good opportunities for skilled white collar workers.
Chief executive Peter Townsend says plenty of jobs in Christchurch would suit the specialist skills of West Coast miners.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker says many people commute to Christchurch for work, and people on the Coast could do the same.
Mr Parker says there may also be work on the Coast itself, manufacturing materials for the rebuild.
Miner doubtful
But a Spring Creek miner, Trevor Bolderson, says he doubts he'll find suitable work in Christchurch.
Mr Bolderson says he understands it pays too little to meet his mortgage payments and other costs.
He says at the moment his best option is to move his family across the Tasman in search of work.
