Press Release: Workforce Learning Leaders Join Forces to Expand Language, Literacy, and Digital Skills for Working Adults
EnGen’s acquisition of Cell-Ed combines accessible adult learning with AI-powered English upskilling to deliver integrated English, literacy, and digital skills programs
Bethesda, MD - (December 4, 2025) – EnGen, one of the nation’s fastest-growing workforce training providers that delivers career-aligned, mobile-first English instruction, today announced its acquisition of Cell-Ed, a low-barrier learning solution for employers and education providers to reach, retain, and upskill millions of frontline, entry-level workers.
EnGen and Cell-Ed will operate as one company under the EnGen brand and will offer two complementary products focused on language, literacy, and digital skills. The acquisition positions EnGen to deliver a full suite of instruction to millions of working adults and job seekers through scalable solutions backed by employers and state leaders.
Building a future-ready workforce depends on adult education and training options being flexible enough to fit the realities of working adults. But nearly 1 in 10 working-age adults in the U.S. has limited English proficiency, and roughly one-third of workers lack the digital literacy skills needed to succeed in the workplace. At the same time, gaps in digital access prevent millions from taking full advantage of training opportunities. Almost a quarter of people in the U.S lack home broadband, and 4 in 10 low-income adults don’t have a desktop or laptop computer.
“Language, literacy, digital skills, and access gaps are still blocking millions of adults from quality jobs—and limiting employers’ ability to hire and promote from within,” said Katie Brown, Ph.D., founder and chief education officer of EnGen. “With this acquisition, we’re uniting two powerful, low-barrier approaches to create a seamless pathway for working adults. Our solutions can now reach learners where they are—no WiFi, data plan, or email required—through phone, WhatsApp, SMS, or web. No matter their starting point, we can help learners gain the skills that propel their careers and strengthen the workforce.”
Together, the companies bring nearly two decades of experience delivering mobile-first learning to millions of adults, producing measurable results for workers and employers. EnGen learners report higher confidence using English at work (94%), improved productivity through time savings (93%), and increased retention, with 84% saying they plan to stay with their employer because EnGen is offered as a benefit. Cell-Ed learners experience 84% faster learning gains, 20% higher engagement, and a fourfold increase in retention compared to industry benchmarks and in-person learning options.
“By coming together, we’re creating a force-multiplier for workforce impact,” said Sonali Joshi, chief operating officer at Cell-Ed. “We can now deliver a highly scalable, end-to-end solution that helps employers, workforce development partners, and state agencies build, retain, and advance a more skilled labor force—all by meeting adult learners where they are, on the devices they already use.”
EnGen’s suite of solutions will now support English learners, native English speakers with skill gaps, and managers interested in learning Spanish. Platforms include enrollment support, on-demand learning, live workshops, personalized coaching, and custom content. Expanded offerings include:
Foundational literacy and digital skills that build the core competencies adults need to succeed in today’s workforce.
Career-focused English instruction aligned to high-demand fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, skilled trades, and hospitality, enabling learners to communicate effectively and advance in their careers.
Workforce-aligned Spanish instruction, designed for managers and frontline supervisors, to strengthen team communication, coaching, and retention.
Life skills, including financial literacy, parenting, and other practical skills that support personal and professional growth.
For more information please visit: https://getengen.com/
Good Harbor Partners (GHP), a boutique M&A advisory firm with a track record of achieving exceptional outcomes, served as exclusive buy-side advisor for EnGen in its acquisition of Cell-Ed.
About EnGen
EnGen offers an at-scale, AI-powered approach to workforce learning , designed to solve a systemic access issue: Adult English learners now represent 1 in 10 working-age adults, yet the U.S. serves the needs of just 2% of these speakers of other languages. A Certified B Corporation, EnGen partners with employers, adult educators, workforce development and state governments to open pathways to careers and credentials in high-demand industries. EnGen’s career-aligned approach addresses employers’ recruitment and retention challenges and advances learners’ economic mobility.