BY INVESTING IN its workforce, East Riding College is offsetting the worst effects of the recession. Even as its hopes for a new £23m campus took a blow last year when funding was withdrawn (with a small number of people also being made redundant), employees give the college a 69% positive score for questions on Personal Growth overall — the sixth best result nationally among the 75 organisations in this list. There is little evidence of boredom in the classroom (74%, and the eighth best score in mid-sized bodies), because teachers view their work as stimulating (74%) and good for their own growth (73%, another top 10 score). Staff say there are opportunities to learn and grow (55%), and the training they receive is of great benefit to them personally (66%), both top 10 rankings. East Riding's intake of more than 1,500 full-time students every year and thousands more on higher education and part-time courses, gives employees valuable experience for the future (71%). The average salary of a teacher is £24,606 and staff feel able to contribute to the success of the college (80%, ranking third). It came 14th overall for the My Company factor. Staff and students benefited from the opening of a new £17m campus in the coastal resort of Bridlington last year, despite the withdrawal of some funding. The college also has a campus in the market town of Beverley. www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk