THE designs for the new City of Glasgow College buildings provide an enticing glimpse of the future for tens of thousands of students.

The merger and subsequent relocation in purpose-built facilities over two sites will allow the college to deliver courses to the highest standards.

Glasgow has three successful universities which can often overshadow the further education sector.

It is, however, this sector that allows many mature students a route to university they missed out on first time round and offers a career progression for many whose job choice does not involve higher eduction study.

Much debate about post-school education focuses on university and tuition fees and student loans, but that debate ignores the needs of the tens of thousands in this and other cities who benefit from our further education colleges.

This is a sector that is diverse and provides benefits to people of all ages and different abilities and must continue to see investment.

The new campuses for the City of Glasgow College are a shining example of that philosophy in action, and when the facilities are ready Glasgow can look forward to providing opportunities for young people to discover and fulfil their true potential.