Purdue University—widely recognized for its leadership in innovation, research, and education—is partnering with Ziplines Education, a career accelerator focused on upskilling professionals at all career levels through its Purdue University Online initiative. This partnership introduces a new slate of high-impact certificate courses designed to equip Indiana’s workforce with the skills required to thrive in a rapidly shifting economy.

Building on Purdue’s legacy of academic excellence and digital learning innovation, the new programs will offer practical, career-focused training in Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Product Management, Salesforce Administration, and AI Prompting. Each program is designed to provide practical, job-ready skills supported by recognized credentials and delivered in a flexible, learner-focused format.

“This partnership reflects Purdue’s mission to lead at the intersection of academic innovation and workforce transformation,” said Searsha Gebhart, Affiliate Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at Purdue University Online. “Through our collaboration with Ziplines Education, we’re turning market insights into meaningful learning opportunities—programs that are agile, applied, and built for impact. It’s about more than upskilling—it’s about shaping a future where learners, employers, and institutions evolve together.”

Recent labor market trends underscore the urgency of this initiative. Over the past six months in Indiana, job postings requiring skills in generative AI and ChatGPT have surged by 83%. Demand for business analysts and project managers has climbed 35%, while roles involving Salesforce administration are projected to grow by 24.7%, outpacing national averages. Purdue and Ziplines are directly addressing these needs with programs built to help professionals stay competitive and future-ready.

Together, the two institutions are reimagining what continuing education can be: flexible, career-relevant, and deeply aligned with industry needs. Learners will benefit from monthly cohort launches, hands-on assignments, expert-led instruction, and personalized support designed to turn potential into real career momentum.

“Too many professionals feel like the world is moving faster than they can catch up,” said Sara Leoni, CEO of Ziplines Education. “This partnership is about changing that idea. It’s about meeting people where they are—with programs that are modern, practical, and built for momentum. Purdue has always been a driver of innovation, and together we’re building learning pathways that don’t just check a box—they empower real career growth.”

Ziplines Education partners with leading universities to develop flexible, cohort-based online non-credit certificate courses that blend live instruction, interactive learning, and real-world application. Course participants will gain hands-on experience and have access to career support resources designed to help them achieve their professional goals. 

Purdue course offerings include:

• Digital Marketing: Industry certifications in HubSpot, Google Ads, and Google Analytics.
• Business Analytics: Industry-recognized training in data analysis and visualization to enhance strategic decision-making and drive business impact.
• Product Management: Certifications from ProductBoard, Jira Software, and Amplitude Analytics.
• Salesforce Administration: Salesforce Trailhead badges covering key sales enablement and CRM skills.
• AI Prompting: Practical AI skills using ChatGPT for business applications, including content creation, data analysis, and workflow automation.

Enrollment is now open, with cohorts beginning in August 2025. To learn more and sign up, visit www.purdue.edu/online.