BORDERS COLLEGE OFFERS a wide range of day and evening courses to about 8,000 young people and adults in subjects from downhill skiing and animal care to gamekeeping and gas safety at its new £32m campus in Galashiels and at five other locations in the region. Employees are proud of the state-of-the-art facilities and the work the college does to raise the aspirations of its students and create opportunities for them, giving a positive score of 75% in our staff survey. Their job is an important part of life for the workforce (81%), who care about providing a great service (95%). Low sickness rates — the average time taken off by employees was less than two days last year — and the fact that one in five of the 310-strong workforce has been at the college for 10 or more years, while almost 40% have been on the payroll for at least five, reflects the belief that people think Borders College is a good place to work. Staff feel they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the organisation (78%) as well as a difference within it (76%) and the experience they gain is valuable (73%). Borders College has a training budget of £49,000 and its development programme runs throughout the year. Two days of continuing professional development (CPD), one in February and one in June, make sure the workforce have the IT, people and soft skills they require. Staff are the least bored of all employees working for mid-sized organisations on the list (75%) and say their job is good for their own personal growth (72%). Managers talk openly and honestly with people (72%) and share important information (70%). This inclusive culture is led by principal Liz McIntyre, who visits all of the college's sites and is happy for people to pop in for tea and a chat. Employees think McIntyre runs the organisation on moral principles (70%). Their teams go out of their way for one another (78%, a top five score) and care a lot about each other (76%). The average salary of lecturers is £29,314 and they are among the 54% of staff who earn more than £25,000. Benefits include subsidised sports facilities, an employee assistance programme, discounted services and a final salary pension. Employees get from 28 days' leave up to a maximum of 53 days, depending on tenure. www.borderscollege.ac.uk
