Pryor Learning expands workforce development solutions with acquisition of PeopleKeys

Pryor Learning, LLC (“Pryor”), a prominent name in the workforce training sector, has made a significant move to enhance its capabilities by acquiring PeopleKeys, Inc. (“PeopleKeys”). This acquisition, which was backed by the Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital (“Trive”) and the New York-based merchant banking firm Epic Partners, is set to strengthen Pryor’s position in the market by integrating PeopleKeys’ advanced behavioral assessments, analytics, and certifications into its comprehensive suite of training and development solutions.

For over 50 years, Pryor Learning has been a trusted provider of workforce development solutions, offering training programs that have empowered millions of learners globally. The acquisition of PeopleKeys aligns with Pryor’s mission to provide holistic employee development tools, incorporating cutting-edge solutions for hiring, upskilling, and organizational growth. PeopleKeys’ deep expertise in behavioral assessments and its strong reputation in the human resources sector make it a highly strategic acquisition for Pryor, which is aiming to expand its offerings with more precise, data-driven training methods.

What Does PeopleKeys Bring to Pryor Learning?

Founded in 2004 by Dr. Sandy Kulkin and Dr. Brad Smith, PeopleKeys has become a leader in the behavioral assessment field. Known for its proprietary DISC assessments, the company has assessed over 1 million users and provided businesses with actionable insights into workforce dynamics. PeopleKeys specializes in identifying soft skills and untapped potential in employees, allowing companies to enhance communication, productivity, and overall performance.

PeopleKeys offers a range of services, including behavioral assessments, certifications, consulting services, and benchmarking analytics. Its tools help companies refine their hiring practices, enhance team dynamics, and develop strategies for effective leadership and employee engagement. The company’s behavioral assessment tools, such as DISC, Teams, Values, and Behavioral Attitudes, provide organizations with the knowledge to make more informed decisions when it comes to recruitment, training, and overall workforce development.

By integrating PeopleKeys’ behavioral assessments into its broader training curriculum, Pryor will now be able to provide a more comprehensive set of tools that not only focus on skills enhancement but also address the deeper, often unspoken factors that influence employee success. This combination is expected to elevate Pryor’s training solutions, offering businesses a more robust and data-driven approach to workforce development.

How Does This Acquisition Benefit Pryor Learning’s Clients?

For Pryor Learning, the acquisition opens up new opportunities to expand its service offerings and deliver even more tailored solutions to its customers. Steve Riehs, Chief Executive Officer of Pryor, remarked on the exciting possibilities that this acquisition brings to the company. “We are thrilled to partner with a premier assessment solution that offers compelling, proprietary analytics and actionable insights for hiring, training, and upskilling,” said Riehs. This strategic partnership will enable Pryor to integrate PeopleKeys’ cutting-edge assessments with its expansive library of content, creating a unique user experience that enhances workforce learning and development.

The combination of PeopleKeys’ behavioral assessments with Pryor’s established training programs will allow businesses to better understand their employees’ strengths and development areas, fostering improved communication and collaboration within teams. The integration also opens up new pathways for companies to invest in training that is not only skills-based but also tailored to the personal development of individual employees. This holistic approach is essential in today’s fast-paced business environment, where employee engagement and retention are critical to long-term success.

What Does the Acquisition Mean for the Future of Employee Training?

The broader impact of this acquisition extends beyond the integration of assessment tools into Pryor’s offerings. By joining forces with PeopleKeys, Pryor is now better equipped to address the growing need for customized, data-driven employee development solutions. In a time when businesses are under increasing pressure to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and to close the skills gap, having access to high-quality behavioral data and analytics is more important than ever. Organizations now have a more comprehensive toolset to foster employee growth, enhance team performance, and retain top talent.

Behavioral assessments like those offered by PeopleKeys are becoming an essential part of workforce development. As companies increasingly recognize the importance of soft skills in driving productivity and success, the demand for tools that can assess and improve these skills continues to rise. By incorporating PeopleKeys’ assessments into its own offerings, Pryor is positioning itself at the forefront of this growing trend, ensuring that its clients have access to the latest solutions for building engaged and effective workforces.

How Will the Partnership Drive Growth for Both Companies?

The combination of PeopleKeys’ established reputation in the behavioral assessment field and Pryor’s long-standing presence in the workforce development sector is expected to create significant growth opportunities for both companies. As businesses seek more holistic and data-driven approaches to employee training, the integration of PeopleKeys’ tools into Pryor’s offerings will provide clients with a powerful solution that goes beyond traditional training programs.

Brad Smith, President of PeopleKeys, shared his excitement about the new opportunities that the acquisition would bring. “The combination of PeopleKeys and Pryor allows us to expand our geographic and industry reach, unlocking new cost-effective and value-added learning journeys for our distributors and direct customers,” said Smith. The partnership will enable both companies to offer more comprehensive training solutions that address the full spectrum of employee needs—from recruitment to skills development and retention.

Pryor’s large, global customer base, combined with PeopleKeys’ specialized tools, creates a significant market opportunity. The partnership will allow both companies to leverage their respective strengths, reaching new markets and expanding their influence in the workforce development industry.

What Role Do Trive Capital and Epic Partners Play in This Deal?

The acquisition has been made possible by the involvement of Trive Capital and Epic Partners, two well-established investors with a track record of supporting growth in the education and training sectors. Trive Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm with more than $8 billion in regulatory assets under management, has a history of investing in middle-market companies with high growth potential. Its hands-on approach and focus on operational improvement have made it a valuable partner for Pryor as it looks to expand its offerings and capture a larger share of the market.

Epic Partners, a merchant banking firm focused on education and training businesses, has also played a key role in facilitating this strategic acquisition. With their combined expertise and resources, Trive and Epic Partners are well-positioned to help Pryor and PeopleKeys unlock new opportunities for growth and expansion.

How Will This Acquisition Impact the Market?

The acquisition of PeopleKeys by Pryor Learning represents a key moment in the evolution of the workforce development industry. By combining behavioral assessment tools with comprehensive training solutions, the partnership is setting a new standard for employee development. As businesses face increasing pressure to improve productivity, engagement, and retention, solutions like those offered by Pryor and PeopleKeys are poised to become essential components of workforce development strategies.

The deal also highlights the increasing importance of data-driven insights in the realm of training and development. As companies strive to make more informed decisions about their employees, having access to detailed, behavioral analytics will be crucial. Pryor Learning’s acquisition of PeopleKeys positions it as a leader in this space, offering a unique combination of training solutions and assessment tools that are likely to shape the future of employee development.