LAST week I joined Graeme Dey MSP, Minister for Higher and Further Education, at West College Scotland’s Finnart Street campus after inviting him to the area following his recent appointment to the role.

During the visit, the Minister was given a tour of the campus and notwithstanding the issues with the building’s fabric, he was impressed by the equipment and facilities that it offers – especially the panoramic views from the restaurant on the top floor.

The issues with the infrastructure were raised but also the point about newer builds having smaller spaces, as the scale of the existing workshops enables the college to train people across a range of disciplines, better meeting the needs of local employers.

That is hugely important and would need to be considered in the future as the college is a critical vehicle for local people to gain the skills required to fill local jobs.

Further, the partnership working with businesses across the West of Scotland is hugely valuable as it’s delivering impactful learning that ensures students are prepared to make the move into the workplace of their choosing.

It’s also encouraging more of our young people to study and work in the area, which is vital given our growing older population.

Given the numbers of refugees and asylum seekers living in Inverclyde, I was also pleased to hear how the college is offering ESOL classes.

Although helping them develop their English skills is the focus of these courses, the college setting enables students to meet new people and become more integrated in the community, which I warmly welcome.