New collaboration aims to simplify LMS migration and expand AI-enabled workforce learning opportunities
Instructure, the leading learning ecosystem and maker of Canvas LMS, is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help more institutions overcome technology barriers that limit access to modern education.
Supported by the AWS Education Equity Initiative, the collaboration will advance AI-powered tools designed to make learning management system (LMS) migration faster and more affordable, while accelerating Canvas Career capabilities for workforce development, continuing education and other learning programs serving communities that have historically had fewer opportunities to access modern education technology.
The initiative is expected to reach approximately 900,000 learners in its first year, including roughly 280,000 underserved learners. Over four years, the effort has a path to reach approximately 5.4 million learners, including approximately 1.8 million underserved learners.
For institutions with limited IT resources, modernization can remain out of reach even when the need is clear. Many continue to rely on legacy, on-premise LMS platforms because moving to a modern system can require significant financial investment, technical expertise and time.
Instructure and AWS are addressing this challenge by developing AI-powered migration tooling designed to reduce the complexity of moving to Canvas. The tools will support institutions transitioning from legacy LMS platforms, self-managed open-source systems, homegrown environments and other non-standard platforms.
“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.”
The work goes beyond infrastructure. The collaboration will also accelerate Canvas Career, Instructure’s platform for skills-first, workforce-aligned learning.
Canvas Career is designed to support programs that extend beyond traditional higher education, including continuing education, K-12 workforce initiatives, community colleges, vocational training centers, public-sector workforce programs and adult learners 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.”
Development will focus on two priorities: improving access and strengthening outcomes.
For learners in environments where connectivity can be limited, the initiative will support secure, low-connectivity infrastructure for correctional facilities and remote settings. Accessibility frameworks will also be developed to better support learners with disabilities.
On the workforce side, AI-powered skill mapping will help align training with job requirements. Credential and certification management will support stackable credentials and workforce badges, while employer tools will help connect learning pathways with employment pipelines.
The initiative will initially focus on the United States, Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom, with plans to expand into additional regions over time.
Four groups will be among the initial focus areas:
- 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 measure progress through institutional adoption, learner reach and, as programs mature, workforce outcomes including credential attainment, program completion and job placement. Public reporting is expected to begin in the second half of 2026 and continue quarterly.
The collaboration reflects a broader effort to make modern learning technology more accessible to institutions and learners facing structural barriers. While the initial work focuses on specific communities and regions, future phases are expected to expand the tools and reach more learners worldwide.