Advtech’s drive to simplify its education brands is yielding positive results, with strong enrolment growth and improved margins helping the private education group post double-digit earnings growth in the first half of its 2026 financial year. Headline earnings per share (HEPS) for the six months ended June increased by 16% to 130.8c. The group declared an interim dividend of 53c a share, up 18% from a year ago. The consolidation has been most visible in the tertiary business, where Advtech brought Varsity College, Vega, MSA and HSM together under the Emeris brand. The group also relaunched Rosebank College as Rosebank International.The education division grew revenue by 13%, while its operating profit increased by 15%. Overall group revenue rose 8% to more than R5bn, and operating profit increased 14%. According to the group, the tertiary division recorded the strongest growth in the first half, with revenue rising 17% to R2.24bn and operating profit increasing 19%. Its operating margin improved to 26.4%, from 25.9%.Advtech said the division continued to benefit from the consolidation of its brands, an expanding range of programmes and strong enrolment growth, particularly in distance learning.“The consolidation of our brand portfolio is driving focus, operational efficiency and margin improvement across the business,” said CEO Geoff Whyte. The group is planning a further portfolio simplification. From January 2027, Southdowns College will move under Crawford International, while Tygervalley College and Glenwood House School will be aligned with Trinityhouse, it said. Pecanwood College and Greenwood Bay College will move to the Pinnacle brand.Meanwhile, Advtech’s smaller resourcing business faces a tougher environment. The South African resourcing operation saw revenue decline, with Whyte saying companies were delaying hiring decisions.The resourcing division accounts for only 4% of operating profit, making education the main driver of Advtech’s profitability.The African resourcing business was also affected by the closure of USAid last year, which cut funding for NGOs and charities whose payrolls Advtech managed. Whyte said the group has since shifted towards other sectors and expects the second half of the year to be stronger.Advtech is also investing heavily to meet demand for education. Its new R420m Emeris campus in Sandton opened in February, while plans are under way for a new Durban campus that will initially accommodate 8,000 students.The group is waiting for the government to finalise the rules for private higher education institutions seeking university status. Once the process is published, Rosebank International and Emeris plan to apply.Whyte said Advtech was ready to move ahead but remained dependent on government publishing the criteria and application process.“We are absolutely ready, in every way, to apply for university status for Rosebank International and Emeris.”Business Day