A new advanced IT apprenticeship is to be launched this week that will allow trainees to gain experience of complex IT systems.

Eighteen students will begin the two-year course in September and will gain an IT Professional NVQ with supporting IT and Financial certification on completion. A further 20 students will be recruited every year.

The course is the result of collaboration between Leeds College of Technology, IT consultancy Strategic Systems Solutions (SSS) and vendors Software AG, IBM and Logicalis, and is endorsed by the British Computer Society, e-Skills UK and the Learning and Skills Council.

"With a lack of investment by the industry in junior talent due to outsourcing and cost pressures, companies now face a large portfolio of business critical applications and only an ageing talent pool with the required skills," said Owen Weeks, chief executive of SSS. "The Advanced IT Apprenticeship aims to fill this gap."

Students will gain remote access to an IBM z Series mainframe belonging to Logicalis as part of their training.

The course includes instruction in the core IT disciplines with a major in mainframe development and management, business studies and 16-months' work experience for financial organisations.

"British industry, renowned for its IT, engineering and science expertise, is facing a skills time bomb that could hit both the economy and employability of the next generation," said Tom Kelly, managing director of Logicalis.

"It is critical that private industry and educators collaborate to promote the opportunities and career prospects available, highlighting, in particular, the correlation between science and innovative IT brands."