Construction industry jobs are now growing at a faster rate in Bermuda than jobs within international business.

As cranes dominate the Hamilton skyline a trend that will see construction overtake all other employment sectors except international business by the end of the decade has been identified.

Remarkably, the construction sector did not even figure in Bermuda's top five employment industries in 2001 but it will be a mere 64 jobs behind international business come 2010, according to a former Government statistician's latest forecast.

Government and public administration jobs will be relegated to third place overall. The stunning trend has been revealed in a telling snapshot of the Island's current employment markets. "The pace of the increase in construction employment shocked me at first, even more because international business is always on top," said Cordell Riley, managing director of Profiles of Bermuda, who presented his findings this week.

"But then I thought about it and we are seeing construction within Hamilton, we are also seeing housing and condos being constructed and the new hotel (Tucker's Point) and others planned."

And at the same time Bermuda's average population age figure is being skewed by the high numbers of expat workers who give the impression that, in contrast to other developed countries, Bermuda's population is growing younger.

The constantly replenished expat population means that the average age of Island residents will lower from 37 to 36 by 2010.

In reality the percentage of seniors is increasing.

By 2010 the number of over 65s will be 8,256, representing 12.2 percent of the population, an increase from the 6,722 of 2000.

The shifting demographic reality of Bermuda is something Government must keep in mind to ensure it addresses social and economic issues, Mr. Riley said.

While the expat effect appears to cloak the actual demographic picture, he believes that organisations such as Age Concern Bermuda are alert and are tracking the true picture.

Mr. Riley yesterday expanded on his 'Employment Trends to 2020' seminar he presented at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel earlier in the week to an audience that included Government and corporate representatives.

He said knowledge of the shifting dynamics of the labour market would be important for young Bermudians planning which sector to train and study for.

See full report in Business