Jack Dunkerton says there appears to be a lack of apprenticeships nowadays (Letters, July 19).

In fact, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), a public sector organisation responsible for funding and planning education and training for over-16 year olds in England, offers more than 180 different apprenticeship schemes across a wide spectrum of employment sectors.

In February of this year, the council announced it was increasing the apprenticeship programme's national budget by a further three per cent.

This may not sound a lot but, in monetary terms, it meant a further £41 million allocated to an already significant commitment.

Locally, LSC Sussex plans and funds a £190 million programme for post-16 education, including apprenticeships. It works closely with organisations such as Jobcentre Plus and Connexions to provide a wealth of information for both employers and young people wishing to embark on an appropriate apprenticeship.

It also provides details of other apprenticeship training providers in Sussex, which can accessed via their web site, www.lsc.gov.uk/sussex. Two years ago, the "Constructing Futures" programme was launched in Brighton and Hove as a response to the shortage of a locally-based construction workforce.

This is a local construction skills agency, created to meet the needs of local employers for a skilled workforce by providing advice, support and training and is funded by many agencies under the guidance and management of Brighton and Hove City College.

This has been seen as an example of best practise and other local authorities and agencies are looking at how they can develop similar programmes in their areas.

In parallel with the Constructing Futures programme, the same group of agencies also deliver First Footings, which provides a pre-apprenticeship training and work experience programme to enable pupils to be ready to enter more formalised apprenticeship programmes.

Further information on Constructing Futures and First Footings is at www.constructingfutures.co.uk .

Finally, Brighton and Hove City Council's programme of apprenticeships, entitled "Earn And Learn", allows apprentices to train for a nationally-recognised qualification while receiving on-the-job training, work experience and support to improve their employability.

Further information about the apprenticeships on offer can be found be e-mailing apprenticeships@brighton-hove.gov.uk .

I trust this has gone some way to reassure Mr Dunkerton the future looks bright for vocational training and I hope his grandson is successful in finding the electrical apprenticeship he is looking for.

-Councillor Sue John - deputy leader, Brighton and Hove City Council