The qualification is part of its remit as a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Print skills.

"There is a real need for this type of course for the young people in the industry," said a college spokesman. The course will take its first students in September 2005 for the 2005/2006 academic year. It will run as two-year full-time, three-year part-time and distance learning programme.

The spokesman added: "It's a qualification for those who might not want to do a purely academic course."

Industry stalwarts such as David Holland, Kathy Woodward and Marcus Clifford are being consulted on the course and will also be lecturing and mentoring along with "other industry figures" yet to be named.

The course is validated by De Montfort University, Leicester.