Contractors are seeking Bermudian construction workers, asbestos specialists, electricians and elevator technicians to help redevelop the island’s largest hotel.

An advertisement in The Royal Gazette said that Fairmont Southampton redevelopers hoped to fill these roles within the next 60 days and that a special job fair for the positions would be held at the Department of Workforce Development on Parliament Street.

Resort owners Westend Properties Ltd partnered with DWD and Performance Ltd to organise the fair, which ran from 11am to 6.30pm yesterday.

D&J Construction and US contractor Frazee, who are working together to renovate the hotel’s interior guest rooms and public spaces, were recruiting general labourers as well as site and project superintendents.

Pat Rigsby, the Frazee project director, said: “There has been a good response, we spoke to a good number of solid applicants and we look forward to talking to them.

“Fifty new hires would be a target for us, between the labourers and everyone else.”

She added that construction at the resort was under way and the new rooms would have the same interior space as old ones but feature different furniture and decor.

Ms Rigsby explained: “The rooms will still have the same basic Bermuda feel. The building will still be the Fairmont Southampton but it will be updated and more comfortable for guests with more modern furnishing and more technology — it will be a good guest experience.”

Clay Bean, the BAC Universal Electric project director, said the team hoped to hire 15 recruits as either certified electricians or electrical apprentices during the fair.

He said: “We’ve been here for about an hour so far and about 12 people have shown interest, which is a good sign.”