Simplilearn & Purdue Launch Comprehensive Cloud & DevOps Certification Program for IT Professionals

In an era defined by rapid technological evolution, the ability to upskill and adapt is more crucial than ever for both IT professionals and organizations. Standing at the forefront of this upskilling revolution, Simplilearn has announced a strategic partnership with Purdue University Online. This collaboration, bolstered by alliances with cloud giants AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, introduces a robust Cloud Computing and DevOps Certification Program designed to propel learners into the most critical areas of modern IT infrastructure and operations.

Addressing the Cloud Skills Gap: A Market in Motion​

The announcement of this program comes against the backdrop of explosive growth in cloud computing and DevOps. According to verified market research, the global cloud computing market is projected to surge from approximately $735 billion in 2024 to over $830 billion by 2025—a remarkable 13.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Meanwhile, the DevOps market is on a similarly steep trajectory, forecast to expand from $10.4 billion in 2023 to $25.5 billion in 2028, reflecting a CAGR just under 20%.
These numbers underscore both demand for cloud-literate professionals and the magnitude of the impending skills gap facing businesses worldwide. As digital transformation efforts accelerate across virtually every sector, the ability to manage, automate, and optimize enterprise infrastructure using next-generation tools and methodologies is no longer reserved for niche specialists—it is a core business imperative.

What Sets the Simplilearn-Purdue Program Apart?​

While countless online courses cater to cloud and DevOps training, this certification distinguishes itself through several notable features:

Multi-Cloud, Multi-Faceted Curriculum​

The program delivers over 150 hours of in-depth learning, spanning foundational and advanced topics across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. This is a significant advantage for IT professionals, as the reality of hybrid and multi-cloud environments means expertise in a single platform often isn’t enough. Modules cover essential DevOps principles, infrastructure as code (IaC), continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), containerization, monitoring, and site reliability engineering, ensuring relevance for a range of emerging roles.

Learning by Doing: Hands-On, Sandboxed Labs​

Theory-only tech training often falls short of industry demands. Recognizing this, the program heavily emphasizes practical skill acquisition through interactive sandboxed labs and live virtual classes. Learners build, deploy, and troubleshoot environments in real-time, reinforcing key concepts beyond the classroom and preparing them for real-world challenges.

Certification Pathways with Official Content​

A unique strength is the integration of official on-demand content from AWS Skillbuilder and Microsoft Azure’s learning materials. Learners gain exposure to content designed by the cloud providers themselves and can pursue Microsoft-branded certifications. Such credentials are recognized across the industry and often serve as gateways to new job opportunities.

Expert-Led Instruction: Academia Meets Industry​

Classes and masterclasses are helmed by a blend of Purdue University faculty, Simplilearn’s in-house certified instructors, and global industry practitioners. This duality ensures theoretical rigor and current, applied best practices. In addition, the program features exclusive GenAI (Generative AI) masterclasses, acknowledging the growing influence of AI and automation in cloud and DevOps workflows.

Community, Networking, and Career Support​

Graduates gain access to Purdue University’s alumni network—a powerful resource for career guidance and professional connections. Simplilearn further enhances employability prospects with Job Assistance services, practical interview training, and peer collaboration opportunities.

The Strategic Imperatives: Why Cloud and DevOps?​

Almost all major organizations are migrating workloads to the cloud or deploying DevOps practices to boost efficiency, reduce time-to-market, and improve reliability. Several strategic benefits underpin this shift:

• Cost Optimization: Cloud platforms replace heavy upfront infrastructure spending with flexible, scalable consumption models.
• Business Agility: Rapid provisioning, automation, and self-service empower development teams to innovate and respond quickly to market needs.
• Reliability and Resilience: Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) methodologies and DevOps automation minimize downtime and enhance user experiences.
• Security and Compliance: Modern cloud services offer advanced security controls—though real-world protection demands both technical and procedural excellence.

Risks and Challenges: The migration to cloud and implementation of DevOps are not without risks. Poorly managed transitions can introduce security gaps, operational complexity, and cost overruns. Vendor lock-in remains a concern—underscoring the importance of multi-cloud literacy. Moreover, organizations must reckon with a global shortage of cloud and DevOps talent to execute their roadmap.
The Simplilearn-Purdue program seeks to address these challenges with a curriculum tailored for holistic readiness. By covering AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and grounding training in best-practice DevOps methodologies, the course provides future-proof competence rather than fleeting vendor-specific skills.

Inside the Curriculum: What Learners Can Expect​

The certification pathway is structured into comprehensive, progressive modules. Key elements include:

Core Modules​

• Cloud Foundations: Fundamentals of cloud architecture, service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and deployment strategies.
• AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Services: Hands-on labs and deep dives into compute, storage, networking, security, and management services from the “big three” providers.
• Linux for Cloud and DevOps: Since Linux dominates cloud and container ecosystems, foundational command-line, scripting, and troubleshooting skills are emphasized.

DevOps Specialization​

• Configuration Management & Infrastructure as Code: Automating environment setup using tools like Terraform, Ansible, and native cloud services.
• CI/CD Pipelines: Automating code integration, testing, and delivery using popular frameworks (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline, Azure Pipelines).
• Containerization with Docker & Kubernetes: Managing application scalability and reliability at scale.
• Monitoring and Incident Response: Leveraging cloud-native observability tools for uptime assurance and root-cause analysis.

GenAI & Emerging Technologies​

With generative AI revolutionizing everything from code generation to infrastructure optimization, the program’s GenAI masterclasses ensure that learners are plugged into the latest innovations poised to reshape IT operations.

Capstone Projects and Peer Collaboration​

Capstone projects are a hallmark, requiring learners to demonstrate proficiency through end-to-end scenarios reflective of real business contexts. These collaborative experiences not only solidify learning but also mimic the agile, cross-functional work seen in the modern enterprise.

Voices from the Partnership​

Speaking on the program’s ambitions, Krishna Kumar, Founder and CEO of Simplilearn, emphasized, “We remain deeply committed to empowering professionals to unlock the full potential of modern technologies. We have designed the program to equip the next generation of workforce with the expertise required to advance in cloud computing and site reliability domains. The program ensures that the learners master AWS cloud fundamentals through official on-demand content from AWS Skillbuilder, gain access to Microsoft Azure's official learning material, and earn Microsoft-branded certifications.”
These sentiments are echoed by Purdue representatives. Searsha Gebhart, Assistant Director of Affiliate Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives at Purdue, shared, “We are pleased to partner with Simplilearn... As businesses continue to scale, it has become necessary to bridge existing skill gaps and enable professionals to stay ahead. At Purdue, we are committed to facilitating upskilling and preparing professionals for high-potential, emerging roles in important technologies such as cloud computing and DevOps.”

Purdue and Simplilearn: Industry Pedigree​

The reputations of both Purdue University and Simplilearn lend significant credibility to this initiative.

• Purdue University, a top-10 US public research institution, is lauded for its commitment to accessibility—demonstrated by 14 consecutive years of tuition freezes—and for its “excellence at scale.” Its alumni network is global and its approach to workforce development, exemplified by efforts like Purdue Computes and the Mitch Daniels School of Business, is cutting-edge.
• Simplilearn, founded in 2010 and a portfolio company of Blackstone, has delivered digital upskilling programs to over 8 million learners across 150+ countries. With more than 1,500 live online classes monthly and direct collaborations with universities and top corporations, it is one of the industry’s most prolific training providers.

Industry Impact: Who Should Enroll?​

This program is designed for a wide range of practitioners—whether early-career technologists, IT professionals seeking to upskill, experienced managers targeting cloud migration projects, or career-changers eager to enter high-demand roles. The alignment of the content with industry needs means the skills acquired are applicable to job postings around the world.
Targeted outcomes include:

• Cloud Solution Architect
• DevOps Engineer
• Cloud Operations Manager
• Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
• Infrastructure Automation Specialist

Graduates will not only be equipped with in-demand certifications but will also have demonstrated practical, job-ready competence across multiple vendors and toolsets.

Analytical Perspective: Strengths and Risks​

Notable Strengths​

• End-to-End Coverage: The program addresses every stage of the cloud and DevOps adoption lifecycle, from fundamentals to advanced automation and monitoring.
• Official Provider Content: Access to learning materials and certifications directly from AWS and Azure mitigates risk of outdated or incomplete third-party instruction.
• Practical Emphasis: Sandboxed labs, capstone projects, and peer engagement foster demonstration-ready skill acquisition.
• Networking and Alumni Resources: The inclusion of Purdue’s alumni network, combined with Simplilearn’s Job Assistance, offers learners a powerful support ecosystem.
• Adaptability to Industry Trends: The curriculum’s responsiveness to developments, such as GenAI and multi-cloud strategies, speaks to its future readiness.

Potential Risks and Caveats​

• Pace and Time Commitment: With over 150 hours of content, prospective learners must be prepared for a significant time investment.
• Costs and Return on Investment: While the program’s value stems from industry certifications and hands-on labs, tuition fees remain a consideration, particularly relative to self-study or single-provider platforms. Simplilearn’s courses are generally positioned at a premium price point, and financial aid details should be clarified with admissions.
• Keeping Content Current: Cloud and DevOps tools evolve at lightning speed; maintaining curriculum currency is a perennial challenge. However, the involvement of provider-updated material and industry practitioners helps mitigate staleness.
• Certification Alone ≠ Guaranteed Job Placement: While credentials can boost employability, actual hiring will also depend on soft skills, past experience, interview performance, and regional demand.

Caution on Claims​

All stated growth rates and market size projections have been cross-verified with research from market intelligence firms and cloud industry analysts. Learners should be aware, however, that market predictions are inherently vulnerable to shifts in economic and technological trends.

Future Outlook: A Critical Piece of the Digital Workforce Puzzle​

As companies accelerate cloud adoption and automate ever-larger swathes of their IT operations, multi-disciplinary professionals who can bridge the worlds of development, operations, and business will be at a premium. Programs like the Simplilearn-Purdue Cloud Computing and DevOps Certification not only address urgent skills gaps but do so with a holistic, practical, and globally relevant approach.
The program’s launch is timely, arriving as organizations seek to build more resilient, cost-effective, and agile technology stacks. The strategic nature of this partnership—spanning academia, industry, and direct vendor involvement—positions it to meaningfully impact both individual learners and the broader digital economy.
For would-be cloud architects, DevOps engineers, or IT leaders, this certification offers a thorough, practical, and industry-validated pathway to career advancement. As the digital landscape continues to shift, such programs will be central to ensuring workforce relevance in a cloud-first, automation-driven world.
Learners and organizations interested in next-generation capabilities would be well advised to explore what this pioneering collaboration has to offer. Further details on enrollment eligibility, tuition, and curriculum can be found on the official Simplilearn website and Purdue’s digital learning portal. The cloud revolution shows no signs of slowing down—those acquiring the right skills today are poised to be its vanguards tomorrow.

---

Source: PR Newswire UK Simplilearn Partners With Purdue University Online, Offers Cloud Computing and DevOps Certification Program in Collaboration With AWS and Microsoft Azure