Initiative targets nearly 900,000 learners in its first year with AI-powered modernization and workforce learning tools
Instructure, the leading learning ecosystem and maker of Canvas LMS, is expanding its work to make modern education technology more accessible through a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Supported by the AWS Education Equity Initiative, the collaboration will develop AI-powered tools to help institutions overcome barriers to learning technology modernization and accelerate Canvas Career capabilities for workforce and continuing education programs.
The initiative is expected to reach approximately 900,000 learners in its first year, including roughly 280,000 underserved learners. Over the next four years, it has a path to reach approximately 5.4 million learners, including roughly 1.8 million underserved learners.
The effort comes as millions of learners worldwide continue to face barriers that can limit access to quality education. In many communities, limited internet access, geographic isolation, language barriers and a lack of modern technology infrastructure can make it difficult for learners to benefit from digital education.
“Education equity means building systems that work for learners in every environment, including those who face the greatest barriers to opportunity,” said Melissa Loble, chief learning officer at Instructure. “Through this collaboration with AWS, we are accelerating tools that help more institutions modernize their learning environments and connect learners to workforce pathways. Instructure is committed to helping institutions expand opportunity through scalable learning infrastructure and workforce-connected learning experiences.”
Removing a Major Barrier to Modernization
For many institutions, particularly those with limited IT resources, the challenge begins with the technology itself.
Legacy, on-premise LMS platforms can be expensive and complex to replace. Institutions may also operate self-managed open-source platforms, homegrown systems or other non-standard environments that make migration even more difficult.
AWS support will enable Instructure to develop AI-powered migration tooling designed to simplify these transitions and make moving to Canvas faster and more affordable.
By reducing the resources required for migration, the initiative aims to give more institutions a realistic path toward modern, cloud-based learning infrastructure.
Building More Flexible Workforce Pathways
The collaboration will also accelerate Canvas Career, Instructure’s platform for skills-first, workforce-aligned learning.
Canvas Career is designed to support a wider range of learners and programs, including continuing education, K-12 workforce initiatives, community colleges, vocational training centers, public-sector workforce programs and adults returning to education.
“AWS is proud to power Instructure’s reach across more than 100 countries and millions of learners,” said Aanya Niaz, Education Lead, Amazon Web Services. “They’ve built Canvas Career to serve workforce and continuing education programs that often fall outside traditional higher education models. We want to make these tools and infrastructure that drive positive learning outcomes accessible to educators and learners who need them most.”
The next phase of development will focus on both access and outcomes.
For learners in remote or low-connectivity settings, planned capabilities include secure infrastructure designed for correctional facilities and remote environments. Accessibility frameworks will also support learners with disabilities.
For workforce programs, AI-powered skill mapping will help connect training with job requirements. Credential and certification management will support stackable credentials and workforce badges, while employer tools will help connect education pathways with employment pipelines.
Starting With Communities That Need It Most
The first year will focus on the United States, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom, with additional regions expected to be included over time.
The initiative will initially prioritize four groups:
- K-12 districts with workforce programs serving rural and first-generation students
- Correctional facilities building credential pathways for incarcerated learners
- Community colleges serving adult and budget-constrained students
- Workforce development organizations, including vocational training centers and public-sector programs
Instructure will track institutional adoption and learner reach, with workforce indicators such as credential attainment, program completion and job placement added as programs mature.
Public progress reports will begin in the second half of 2026 and continue quarterly.
The initiative represents an initial step in addressing the broader structural challenges surrounding education access. Future phases will build on the tools developed through the collaboration and extend their reach to more institutions and learners worldwide.