The best investment may be in yourself. The same can’t be said for the education apps through which that investment is often made. Dips in earnings from virtual learning and English language programmes at UK-listed Pearson, which unveiled interim numbers last week, speak to a global trend.
Education technology groups rode the wave of the pandemic era, only to meet later with losses and falling share prices. This is a broad group, ranging from gamified language learning app Duolingo — a rare bright spot for the sector — through to those providing workplace training and qualifications.
In theory, industry dynamics merit an A*. Demand is strong, with hundreds of millions of people taking online courses, while subscription revenue models keep them tied in. The fast-changing nature of work means employees are on a treadmill of learning, fielding new programmes, new ways of working and new regulations with which to comply.