Bermuda's lifelong ties to the sea are be reinforced by the creation of a seamanship/maritime training platform.

It could be up and running as soon as next year and will offer Bermudians the opportunity to train and study for careers that they can take anywhere in the world.

Not since the demise of the Royal Navy apprenticeship programmes in the 1950s has the Island had an identifiable route for those wishing to train up in seaman and maritime skills.

The National Training Board (NTB) is in the process of getting the maritime training platform finalised. It will offer courses in seamanship, maritime engineering and navigation and alike.

Such training is currently offered through the NTB using a link-up with Barbados. Because of Bermuda's size and limited resources the training board makes use of a number of overseas institutions to train Bermudians where the cost of providing the same facilities in Bermuda would be prohibitive.

The NTB is working with the likes of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation to "re-start and re-invent" maritime training in Bermuda.

The shifting dynamics of Bermuda's employment sectors was highlighted last week in forecasts by former Government statistician Cordell Riley, who predicted that the booming construction sector was on target to challenge international business as the Island's largest employment area by 2010.

Job creation is occurring at a faster rate in construction and international business than in any other employment sector.

The growing number of construction jobs is something that has been monitored by the NTB over the past few years, said executive officer Michael Stowe.

"Over the past three years we have been increasing capacity for construction industry training," he said.

Bermudians who train up to become electricians, plumbers, masons, air-conditioning technicians or welders, to name a few, can enter the construction sector and expect to enjoy a life-long demand for their skills.

Mr. Stowe points out there is evidence that tradespeople do better in homeownership than non-tradespeople, partially because they have "the skills and industry knowledge and awareness" to build and maintain their homes.

This story first appeared in The Royal Gazette's Business section.