THIS FURTHER EDUCATION college doesn't restrict its education remit to its students. The 520 staff at Halesowen College find their training of great personal benefit, earning the West Midlands institution a top ranking among mid-sized organisations, with a 67% positive score. Employees spend about 40 hours a year on formal training, at a cost of £350 each. Teaching courses are fully funded by the college and jobs are good for personal growth (74%), with the experience people gain being valuable for the future (72%, both top 10 scores). Halesowen's student body has expanded from 2,780 in the 2004-5 academic year to more than 4,000 now, with school-leavers from Dudley, Sandwell and west Birmingham choosing to continue their education here. A £20m investment programme will ensure facilities are excellent, and staff can take advantage of them too. Keith Bate, principal and chief executive, has led the institution for 12 years, and ensures it isn't just student achievements which are recognised. Team-building events take employees into a variety of settings, including the BBC Good Food Show and outdoors adventure centres. Staff say that colleagues go out of their way to help each other (a top 10 score of 78%), have fun together (77%, ranking ninth), and feel a strong sense of family (69%). www.halesowen.ac.uk
