THE Argus today gives a warm welcome to the The Met, the new-look college for the area.

For many years Brighton has been poorly served.

There is no doubt that City College Brighton and Hove became a great success under the leadership of former principal Phil Frier.

It then went downhill – rapidly.

That was unfair on the staff and the thousands of students who quite frankly deserved better.

Redundancies followed and the financial affairs were an utter shambles.

Fast forward to now and City College is no longer.

It has been replaced by The Met with Nick Juba at the helm.

Nick has been in charge at City College for 18 months and as well as turning around the finances he had a clear vision from day one.

That vision has now been realised and it must be good for Brighton and Hove and indeed further afield to Worthing following the merger with Northbrook.

It is important to have an outstanding college provision for two main reasons.

First, local businesses need to employ people who have the required skills required so this is good news for them.

The sharp focus on construction and other related fields, including apprenticeships, is to be welcomed.

Second, our students deserve the best opportunity to move on to excellent careers and vocational education plays a key part in that.

It’s important they are aware of every possible option available to them.

So we say welcome to The Met.

Expectations are very high.

The city expects, and indeed - needs, The Met to succeed.