A FORMER roadie has swapped life touring the world with a band to train for his dream job as an ambulance paramedic.

Chris Anderson, who is now studying for his BSc in Paramedic Science at Glasgow Caledonian University, (GCU) was travelling and working at international music venues when he realised his true vocation.

The 39-year-old said: “I witnessed a few injuries that happened in the large crowds that gathered for our concerts.

"I watched the emergency personnel that came in, taking ill or injured people out of the crowds and looking after them and work they did seemed both exciting and important.

"It inspired me to change direction, go to college and now I’ll be ready to apply to the ambulance service when I graduate.”

Chris, from Bellshill, was one of the 1000 GCU students who come to the university from college each year.

He met with Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP when she visited GCU.

Shirley-Anne said: “The work that Glasgow Caledonian University does to support students articulating from college is a clear demonstration of the university’s commitment to the widening access agenda.

Glasgow Caledonian University welcomes more than 1,000 students from 17 colleges around Scotland each year, the second largest intake in the country.

As well as access to summer schools, college applicants can also use the library, gym and computing labs to help them prepare for the move to university.

Chris is now going out on placement as part of his course and he’s certain he’s made the right move.

He added: “I get to go out observing and assisting qualified paramedics as they work.

"I've had a lot of jobs in my life, but nothing compares to that feeling of riding in the ambulance on the way to help someone who is in a life-threatening situation.

"To be able to be there, to be equipped and trained to help-out and maybe save a life is just amazing. It’s a lot more exciting than a tour bus.”