The new course, called the Technical Engineer Diploma in Automotive Engineering, will be introduced from October next year, and will take in 40 students annually.

It is the first of its kind in Singapore, and the second diploma programme jointly launched by ITE and its German partners.

Students currently holding ITE certificates in automotive engineering are eligible for the course. The curriculum will emphasise practical skills such as projects and laboratory work and be conducted with the help of expertise from renowned German technical school Carl-Benz-Schule Gaggenau.

Those enrolled will go through two years of full-time study at the new ITE College West campus in Choa Chu Kang, as well as one and a half year's worth of work experience in the auto industry. The diploma they eventually receive will be roughly equivalent to that awarded at local polytechnics.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education S Iswaran, who announced the launch of the new course on Tuesday at this year's ITE Graduation Ceremony, expressed confidence that the programme would meet industry needs and and provide a means for ITE graduates to progress in their studies.

'We have tied up with a top school with good experience in this industry, which will help to make our programme credible and established,' said ITE director and chief executive officer Bruce Poh.

He added that it was important to provide opportunities for students to read courses not currently offered at polytechnics here.

In all, more than 11,000 students graduated from ITE's various full-time, part-time and traineeship courses this year. Tuesday's ceremony saw more than 600 graduates receive certificates and other awards for outstanding academic achievement.