Called Sparks and Spanners, the federally funded automotive pre-vocational program is run in partnership with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and National Joblink, and was launched this week.

Thirteen year 10 and 11 students from Northern schools have been selected to take part in the first year of the course, following a successful pilot program in 2011.

Brooks High School principal Shireen Thomas said it was an excellent program that would open doors for the students interested in a career in the industry.

``This is an innovative program that is looking at really engaging these students to develop pathways but is also vigorous, as well as focused at learning and putting them on a pathway to creating a new future for themselves,'' Ms Thomas said.

The students, who include one female, will spend three days a week, from 9.30am to 4.30pm, over the next eight weeks learning about the automotive industry.

The remaining two days they will attend regular school lessons.

At the completion of the course the students will have attained a certificate 2 in a vocational education and training.