Who is Fosway?

Fosway Group is Europe’s leading HR industry analyst, known for its in-depth research into learning, talent, and HR systems. For over 25 years, Fosway has provided independent insights, helping organisations make informed decisions about L&D technology and strategy. Their annual Fosway 9-Grid™ is a benchmark for evaluating learning system vendors, offering a clear view of market trends, strengths, and challenges.

The latest 2025 Fosway 9-Grid™ for Learning Systems is out, and it highlights key shifts in the corporate learning landscape. Here’s what we've learned from reading the report.

1. The Learning Market is Growing, But Cautiously

Economic pressures continue to affect L&D investment. While the market is still expanding, buyers are more cautious, prioritising profitability and ROI over new, untested innovations. Large enterprises are sticking with existing vendors, while mid-sized businesses are driving the most growth.

What This Means for L&D:

• There will be fewer brand-new system buyers—growth is coming from upgrading and expanding existing platforms.

• Mid-sized businesses want all-in-one learning suites that are easy to deploy and manage.

  
  

2. AI is Hot—But Adoption is Slow

Everyone’s talking about AI in learning, but according to Fosway, most organisations aren’t rushing to adopt it. While AI-driven personalisation and automation hold huge potential, L&D leaders remain hesitant due to concerns about:

• Data security and compliance

• Generative AI producing low-quality, text-heavy content

• The real ROI of AI-driven learning systems

  
  

What This Means for L&D:

• AI will play a bigger role in personalising learning experiences, but most organisations are waiting for proven use cases before investing heavily.

  
  

3. Overcoming Traditional L&D Challenges Means Prioritising Upskilling

For the first time in over a decade, upskilling and reskilling has overtaken compliance training as the top priority for L&D. However, there’s no single, proven way to tackle skills development—organisations are still experimenting with different approaches.

What This Means for L&D:

• Skill taxonomies and interoperability remain major challenges—organisations need better ways to track, map, and apply skills across different HR and learning systems.

• Many companies are running small-scale pilots for skills-based learning, but fully integrated skills strategies are still rare.

  
  

4. Learning Experience (LX) Still Matters, But LXP Platforms are Struggling

Employees expect a consumer-grade learning experience, but dedicated Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) are declining. Instead, learning suites are integrating LXP-style features, making standalone LXPs less relevant.

What This Means for L&D:

• If you’re investing in a new platform, check if your LMS already includes strong LX features.

• Expect AI-driven personalisation to replace traditional LXPs in the future.

  
  

5. Frontline Worker Training Needs a Rethink

Most corporate learning solutions aren’t built for frontline workers. Fosway highlights the need for more creative digital learning solutions for deskless employees.

What This Means for L&D:

• Think beyond desktop and mobile—consider audio-based learning (e.g., podcasts for field workers) or on-screen prompts for manufacturing staff.

• Learning needs to be embedded in the workflow, not just in an LMS.

  
  

Final Thoughts: What This Means for L&D Leaders

The 2025 Fosway 9-Grid™ shows that L&D is at a critical turning point. Budgets are tighter, AI is both an opportunity and a challenge, and organisations need learning systems that deliver real business impact.

To stay ahead, focus on:

✅ Measuring ROI—L&D spending needs to be justified.

✅ Prioritising upskilling—Skills are the #1 challenge for L&D.

✅ Re-evaluating AI—Adopt AI strategically, not just for the sake of it.

✅ Investing in frontline learning—Current solutions don’t serve deskless workers well.

The Fosway 9-Grid™ remains an essential guide for L&D decision-makers, helping organisations navigate learning system choices with confidence.

Need help finding the right L&D solutions? Popcorn Learning Agency creates bespoke, impactful learning experiences—designed for real business outcomes. Let’s talk! 🚀