IN reference to “Boss’s rap after funding is axed” (LT, May 3), the funding made available to match displaced apprentices with new employers, as part of Construction Skills’ Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS), was a direct response to the recession, running from July 2009 to March this year.

ConstructionSkills secured the funding from the National Apprenticeship Service, with the condition that the money would be used immediately to help those most in need. Funding was not cut, as your article states, it was used, as contractually obliged, by March 31 to tackle the damaging effects at the recession’s peak.

Any employer that has taken on an apprentice through the AMS has received £1,000, as well as Grant-funding through the CITB-ConstructionSkills Grant Scheme, financial help for NVQ achievement and support from regional Apprenticeship Officers.

If an employer takes on a displaced apprentice, now they are entitled to claim the £210 ‘adoption Grant’ plus any residual Grants available.

I would also stress that there are a number of business benefits of taking on an apprentice such as expanding a business, easing workloads and cultivating the next generation of workers.

Mr Evans received £1,000 and has been allocated further Grant funding for his apprentice Ryan Ellacott, who I hope is a welcome and valuable addition to his decorating business.

Peter McCarthy, ConstructionSkills.