It was great to hear that the government has seen sense and given the go-ahead to the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering.

The people organising the NSARE have already done so much – for example getting the industry to agree to common standards in skills training.

These achievements, coupled with the go-ahead from the government, are a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of those at NSARE and the organisations which have given them so much support like the Railway Industry Association and the Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum.

However, this is just the start – the rail industry now has to step up to the challenge and provide its share of funding and support.