StraighterLine has acquired Preppy, an online education platform specializing in career certification training, expanding its educational offerings in response to significant workforce needs. The acquisition comes at a critical time, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 13% growth in healthcare occupations from 2021 to 2031, potentially adding approximately two million new jobs.
The deal will integrate Preppy's professional certification programs in medical assisting, dental assistance, pharmacy technology, and early childhood education into StraighterLine's existing portfolio. StraighterLine CEO Matt Hulett emphasized the strategic alignment, positioning the company as a comprehensive educational platform serving learners from general education through professional credentialing.
Preppy's founder, Grant Aldrich, highlighted the acquisition's potential to reduce tuition costs while providing high-quality job skills training. The combined organization now serves over 200,000 individual learners annually, offering accessible and flexible online educational pathways.
This acquisition addresses critical workforce gaps in essential professions, particularly in healthcare and education sectors. With an expected 106,500 annual openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, the strategic move positions StraighterLine to support professional development and career transitions in high-demand fields.
