COLLEGE staff will travel to London today to brief politicians on their progress in training the nation's workforce.

Darlington College of Technology is one of two in the North-East invited to attend a parliamentary reception.

Senior staff from Darlington will join colleagues from Newcastle College at an event at Portcullis House attended by 50 colleges from across the country.

Organised by the Association of Colleges (AOC), it aims to inform an invited audience of the work being carried out with employers to increase the skills of the country's labour market.

An AOC spokesman said: "This is a chance to put across the value which colleges offer to skills and productivity and to increased investment by industry in skills development."

Director of external relations Sue Campbell and Head of journalism, media and the arts Tony Metcalf will represent Darlington College of Technology.

They will be joined by representatives from the Newsquest Media Group, which publishes The Northern Echo and works closely with the college and its journalism students.

Mrs Campbell said: "The college has been invited to talk about its areas of recognised good practice in terms of working with employers. Hopefully we can help politicians gain a deeper understanding of the College's contribution to national skills."

Darlington College of Technology specialises in vocational qualifications and training, offering courses for students of all ages and abilities. It boasts close links with industry including construction, beauty, catering, sport and the media.

It is the only designated media Centre of Vocational Excellence in the North, an accolade that released tens of thousands of pounds worth of funding.