The majority of work to transform Morgan’s Point into the Ritz-Carlton Caroline Bay hotel resort will be done by Bermudians, construction chiefs have confirmed.

David Tobasco, vice-president of construction for DCK Bermuda, said he had been greatly encouraged by the level of expertise on the island.

“I’m confident there is enough ability on the island to do the majority of the work required for this project,” Mr Tobasco told a press conference yesterday.

He joined Michael Fahy, the Minister for Home Affairs, Craig Christensen, president and chief executive of Morgan’s Point Ltd, and Charles Dunstan, president of the Construction Association of Bermuda, as forthcoming employment opportunities for Bermudians were outlined.

Mr Tobasco told the media that 25 workers from Correia Construction and Smith Hauling and Excavation were on site at present, while a string of other Bermudian subcontractors had already been employed.

“Soon you will see foundations raising up from the ground as infrastructure work begins in the next few months,” he added.

Mr Dunstan also praised the developers for their “tenacity” in pursuing the project, saying: “The fact that the project will involve 200 to 300 jobs over the next two years is more impactful than many perhaps understand.

“Each job will not only support the employee but will go a long way to supporting 200 to 300 families which translates to food, schoolbooks, rents and transportation.”

Mr Christensen maintained that the Caroline Bay Bermuda resort would continue to offer employment opportunities for Bermudians once it was completed.

“It was important to us that we created a proper channel for those seeking employment during the construction stage of the project, so we initiated conversations with the Department of Workforce Development in collaboration with the Construction Association of Bermuda and our contractor DCK Bermuda, a world-renowned firm with a track record in successful development.

“We worked together to define a programme that ensures that Bermudians are provided with prospects for employment.”

Mr Fahy said he continued to be increasingly impressed with the progress of the project.

“I would like to commend Craig Christensen, Brian Duperreault and Nelson Hunt for their efforts in helping us to enhance Bermuda’s tourism product and assisting in the hosting of the America’s Cup next summer,” he said.

“I would also like to thank them and the Department of Workforce Development for all of their hard work in ensuring that Bermudians get a fair bite of the cherry, so to speak, when it comes to job opportunities on site.”

The 35 branded condominium residences are expected to be completed within the final quarter of 2017. The marina, that will include 77 berths with capacity for an additional 21 mega-yachts, is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2016 or early 2017, while the five-star boutique 79-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve Hotel will be completed by final quarter 2018.

Mr Fahy said: “There is certainly promise for gainful employment opportunities in the near future and I am delighted, as the minister responsible, to see such a proactive approach on behalf of the DWD in seeking local labour for these projects.”