Pearson: Cengage, Pearson acquire professional development firms

Pearson and Cengage are both expanding their professional education and workforce development offerings through multi-million acquisitions, the education publishers announced on Monday. Pearson acquired Credly, a digital platform to design and offer digital badges and credentials, for $200 million. Credly supports organizations including CompTIA, IBM and the American Council of Education, according to its website. Cengage purchased Infosec, which offers a phishing simulator and cybersecurity awareness training alongside technical courses. That deal was for $190.8 million. Both acquisitions are tapping into an ever-growing interest in professional and skills-based education. About 73% workers surveyed by Salesforce said they do not feel prepared to learn the digital skills businesses need, though about 83% said they plan to pursue new skills in the next five years. Cybersecurity workforce training in particular is at a "critical inflection point," Cengage Group CEO Michael Hansen said in a press release. "The cybersecurity industry is at a [...]