Daniel Skates - Foundation Degree in Integrated Engineering degree student, Derby College

Daniel Skates, 42, joined the Foundation Degree in Integrated Engineering course at Derby College in September 2024.

A former RAF technician, he left the service in 2008 and is now working as an ERTMS (European Railway Traffic Management System) Project Engineer at DB Cargo UK, the UK’s largest rail freight company, at Toton, East Midlands.

Daniel's work with DB Cargo involves assessing potential impacts of the introduction of the ERTMS system on the UK rail network in conjunction with using older locomotive engines.

Daniel said: “I’m doing this course because I have aspirations to be a Head of Engineering, or in a senior roles such as Head of Assets or a COO.

"I have more than ten years’ management experience, but to get that higher level I need a degree.”

He added that he liked the work-life flexibility the course offered and would be mainly studying online but with trips into College to use its facilities.