How genU Training is delivering inclusive, scalable learning with Canvas

genU Training is part of genU, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people with disability, mental health conditions, and barriers to employment. As a registered training organisation (RTO), genU Training delivers vocational education programs across Australia, with a strong focus on accessibility, inclusion, and personal empowerment.

To deliver on that mission, genU required a learning management system (LMS) that went beyond basic content management. The previous platform struggled to meet the evolving needs of modern VET delivery. Sta faced cumbersome workflows and restricted functionality, while learners found it hard to stay engaged. The system also provided limited insight into learner progress and support needs. Even simple tasks, such as preparing for audits, became overly complicated and time consuming.

"We needed something that could support accredited and non-accredited learning, scale with us, and integrate with the tools we use every day," said Naomi Wilcox, Digital Learning Coordinator. "Our previous system wasn’t cutting it. It was clunky, hard to use, and didn’t support the kind of learning experiences we wanted to create."

In 2022, genU began building courses in Canvas. By 2023, their full LMS transition was underway.

Canvas quickly proved to be the right fit. Its intuitive interface stood in sharp contrast to genU’s previous platform, which demanded deep technical expertise to manage and maintain. With Canvas, staff didn’t need to be LMS specialists—they could simply focus on teaching.

“With our previous platform, you need to know what you’re doing, and have people who know what they’re doing,” said Naomi Wilcox, Digital Learning Coordinator. “Otherwise, people are going to break it. Canvas gives it all to you out of the box.”

With Canvas, genU found a system that enabled scale and innovation, without needing to rely on in-house developers or complex workarounds. “The ability to give an everyday staff member the tools to do what you’d normally need specialist skills for—that’s immeasurable,” Naomi added.

For Anna Maree Alfirenko, Learning Design and Experience Manager, the shift to Canvas meant giving educators more autonomy and confidence.

"We didn’t want a system that required a specialist to operate,” she said. "With Canvas, our educators can focus on teaching, not tech. It’s so intuitive. "We’ve got trainers who were nervous about digital learning now confidently guiding classes through Canvas and supporting students online.”

Canvas also gave genU’s learning support staff greater visibility into learner progress.

"Our Student Success Coaches love how easy it is to support learners. They can see who’s engaging, who might need extra help, and respond straight away," said Anna.

From the beginning, genU saw the difference not just in the Canvas platform, but in the people behind it.

"One of the biggest reasons we chose Canvas was the people. The team behind it really understands education," said Naomi. "It’s not just about tech—it’s the relationship. We feel heard. And when you’re supporting learners who need a bit more from their environment, that really matters."

Instructure’s support team helped genU navigate implementation and ongoing improvements. Beyond the platform and support team, genU also tapped into the wider Canvas community, a space where educators collaborate, share best practice, and solve challenges together.

"Being part of the Canvas community has been brilliant. It’s not just us figuring things out. It’s shared knowledge, shared solutions," Naomi added.

As genU’s digital learning strategy matured, they continued to expand their toolkit. Each new addition was carefully chosen to solve a real-world challenge.

• Studio and Immersive Reader help make content more accessible for learners with low literacy.
• Catalog serves as a public-facing storefront, used by both learners and genU’s commercial sales team.
• Credentials enables real-time digital recognition that boosts learner motivation.
• Intelligent Insights, newly adopted, helps genU make data-informed decisions across regions.

"Everything we’ve added—Studio, Catalog, Credentials—it’s all been in response to real needs," said Anna. "It’s not about chasing shiny tools, it’s about solving problems that matter to our learners and staff."

"Learners tell us Canvas just makes sense. It’s clear, it’s interactive, and they know where they’re at," said Anna.

One standout moment came during Mental Health Week, when genU offered a free Understanding Mental Illness microcredential via LinkedIn. The response was overwhelming.

"We had a wave of enrolments from people across the community who wanted to better understand mental health," Anna shared. "Whether for personal growth, to support a loved one, or to enhance their workplace culture, it showed just how powerful accessible learning can be."

For genU’s compliance teams, the shift has also been transformational.

"Previously, it could take up to 10 business days to prepare training evidence for audits. With Canvas, we can simply provide auditors with a customised login that allows access only to what they’ve asked to see. That’s a huge shift," said Naomi.

genU is now exploring how stackable credentials can create job-aligned learning pathways. They are also enthusiastic about the potential of Intelligent Insights to improve retention and deliver more personalised learner support.

"We want to use data to personalise support, to step in before someone disengages. That’s the future," said Anna.

Through every phase of their digital transformation, Canvas has proven itself an essential part of genU’s mission to create meaningful, inclusive learning at scale.

"It’s clear Instructure sees RTOs like us as true partners, not just clients," Naomi said. For other RTOs across Australia rethinking how they engage, support, and inspire learners, genU’s journey is proof that the right technology, in the right hands, can make all the difference.