The landscape of education and employment is undergoing a significant transformation, especially in developing countries. Students often struggle to juggle their studies with earning an income due to the lack of flexible job opportunities. The existing options — online tutoring, freelance work, and on-campus jobs — come with their own set of challenges. Enter Pace Forward Learn & Earn, a game-changing EdTech platform designed to bridge this gap in providing a seamless blend of learning and earning opportunities.

In the bustling streets of Yangon, Myanmar, young Thura struggled to balance his studies with the financial demands of supporting his family and funding his education. The traditional job market offered him little hope — freelance gigs were scarce and inconsistent, and on-campus jobs, while stable, were limited and inflexible. It was in this challenging landscape that Thura discovered Pace Forward, an innovative Learn & Earn platform promising a way to learn new language skills while earning a regular income simultaneously.

The Struggle of Young Learners

Thura’s story is not unique. Across developing countries, countless students face the same dilemma. They need to earn an income to support themselves and their families, but the available job options are fraught with challenges. Online tutoring platforms require specialized knowledge and are highly competitive. Freelance work, though flexible, offers no guarantee of consistent income. On-campus jobs are few and far between, with rigid schedules that often clash with academic commitments.

In regions like Southeast Asia, these issues are exacerbated by economic pressures. Rising inflation and the increasing need for multiple income streams add to the burden on young learners. In this context, Pace Forward Learn & Earn emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a pathway to financial stability without compromising educational goals.

Discovering Pace Learn & Earn

Thura first heard about Pace Forward Learn & Earn through a friend who had joined the platform as a sales agent. Intrigued by the prospect of flexible work that didn’t interfere with his studies, Thura decided to give it a try. The platform’s model was simple yet revolutionary:

1. Sales Agent Role: Thura started by onboarding new students, earning a commission for each one.
2. Flexible Learning: He attended one-on-one classes that fit his schedule perfectly.
3. Tutoring Opportunities: After completing his courses, Thura began tutoring other students, earning a steady income while continuing his own education.

This model not only provided Thura with financial support but also allowed him to enhance his own learning by teaching others.

The Perfect Timing

The launch of Pace Forward Learn & Earn couldn’t have come at a better time. The Asia Pacific region is witnessing a demographic shift, with 600 million Gen Z individuals aged 15–24 entering the labor market. This young workforce faces unique challenges:

• Economic Pressures: Many are living paycheck to paycheck, juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet.
• Educational Demands: There’s a growing demand for supplementary education, as traditional learning methods struggle to keep up with the needs of a modern, digital workforce.

The Asia Pacific private tutoring market, valued at USD 31.19 billion in 2022, highlights the immense potential for platforms like Pace Forward. The region’s strong presence in supplementary education, particularly in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, provides a fertile ground for innovative solutions.

Standing Out in a Crowded Market

Pace Forward distinguishes itself from other tutoring platforms through several key features:

• Structured Curriculum & Gamification: These elements ensure high teaching standards and enhance student retention.
• Earn While Learning: The platform’s model allows students to tutor others as they progress, creating a continuous income stream.
• Efficient Onboarding: By leveraging a sales agent model, Pace Learn & Earn reduces customer acquisition costs and streamlines the onboarding process.

For Thura, these features translated into tangible benefits. The structured curriculum helped him stay on track with his studies, while the gamified approach made learning engaging and fun. Earning an income through tutoring provided him with financial stability and a sense of purpose.

Building a Sustainable Future

Pace Forward’s business model is straightforward and sustainable. The platform charges a 15% transaction fee on each interaction, ensuring a steady revenue stream while keeping costs low for users. Early traction figures are promising:

• Program Duration: Courses last between 6–12 months, depending on the student’s English proficiency.
• Student Enrollment: 140 students joined within the first eight months.
• Growth Rate: The platform is growing at a rate of 30%.
• Churn Rate: A low churn rate of 2.5% indicates strong user satisfaction.
• Student-Tutor Conversion Rate: An impressive 95% of students go on to become tutors.

A Vision for the Future

Pace Forward’s roadmap outlines a clear path to success. The platform’s development was built in four key phases:

1. MVP Launch: Developing core functionalities and piloting with a select group of students and tutors to gather feedback.
2. Enhancement Phase: Improving the user experience and expanding features based on pilot feedback.
3. Full Platform Launch: A public launch with a robust marketing campaign targeting students and tutors.
4. Scaling & Growth: Expanding to new markets, exploring additional revenue streams, and continuously refining the platform.

Thura’s journey with Pace Forward is just one example of how the platform is transforming lives. As the platform scales and reaches more students across the Asia Pacific region, its impact will only grow. The combination of flexible learning and earning opportunities is not just a solution for today’s challenges but a blueprint for a more equitable and sustainable future.

At the time of writing, the platform has established itself in Myanmar and Thailand and is currently exploring its expansion in neighboring regions. This strategic move aims to tap into the burgeoning demand for supplementary education across Southeast Asia, further solidifying Pace Forward’s presence in the market.

Conclusion

Pace Forward represents a new frontier in the intersection of education and employment. By addressing the unique challenges faced by students in developing countries, the platform offers a lifeline to those struggling to balance their studies with financial responsibilities. Thura’s story is a testament to the transformative power of this innovative approach. As Pace Forward continues to expand and evolve, it holds the promise of a brighter future for countless young learners.

Join them on this journey and be a part of the revolution in education and work. If you are based in South-East Asia and interested to develop this Earn & Learn business in your market, please get in touch with me or contact Stacie Phyo, the founder of Pace Forward.