Thousands of training places will be created across Sussex so employers no longer have to rely on skilled migrant labour to fill job vacancies.

Ministers announced plans for 7.5 million training places across the country after Gordon Brown promised to create "British jobs for British workers".

The drive includes 120,000 apprenticeships alongside 3.5 million places on courses for adults who struggle with basic English and maths.

Mr Brown's comments have caused a political storm with critics pointing out they go against EU labour laws which allow free movement of labour.

Others have accused the Prime Minister of employing far-right rhetoric.

But Skills Secretary John Denham yesterday insisted that while the "great majority" of training places would benefit British workers, the policy was not about migration.

He said: "The primary reason we are expanding skills and training places is to make sure the British economy is prosperous and competitive in the future and to make sure everyone can share in that prosperity.

We would be doing this whether or not migrant labour was available. But this will help ensure that British workers can compete for jobs where previously, employers have had to look for skilled migrant labour."

More than 30,000 immigrants have started work in Sussex in the past two years. At the same time, figures from the Learning and Skills Council show 2,500 young people in Sussex are classed as "neets" - not in education, employment or training. One in six people in the county is unemployed.

Sussex Careers, an independent firm which offers careers advice, runs its own apprenticeship scheme. The company, in Church Road, Hove, has just taken on two teenage girls from Eastbourne who are studying for NVQs in business administration.

Deputy operations manager Susan Santos said: "By taking on an apprentice, companies can train new staff with the skills their business needs while making a positive contribution to addressing skill gaps.

"Apprenticeships highlight a growing trend for alternative routes into employment. Traditional education is not the best option for everyone."

The Federation of Small Businesses, which has 12,000 members in Sussex, welcomed the Government's initiative but said it highlighted failures in the education system.

Spokesman Stephen Alambritis said: "When recruiting school leavers, more than 40 per cent of small businesses report problems with basic low-level skills such as literacy and numeracy and soft skills such as communication.

The FSB believes all these skills need to be provided by the education system."

René Schuster, head of recruitment firm Adecco which has an office in North Street, Brighton, said: "This is a statement of intent from the Government and it demonstrates a strong, positive vision for the future of employment in the UK."