Autodesk has provided no-cost access to its tools for over a decade, enabling accredited institutions and verified learners to use the same technology employed by architects, engineers and manufacturers globally.
Addressing Skills Gaps in an AI-driven Economy
The company’s latest State of Design and Make report highlights growing concerns among employers, with 58 per cent of respondents citing a shortage of skilled talent as a barrier to growth and 61 per cent reporting difficulty in finding candidates with the right technical expertise. Meanwhile, demand for AI-related skills has surged by more than 640 per cent since 2022, according to the company’s AI Jobs Report.
Students share similar concerns, as nearly half of college learners believe they are not acquiring the AI skills needed for future careers, Autodesk's Career Readiness Report, conducted in association with GlobalData, found.
According to the company, its education initiatives aim to bridge this gap by connecting students from secondary, trade schools, community colleges and universities with technology, real-world projects and career pathways across design and manufacturing industries after graduation.
“With technology advancing faster than education can keep pace, it’s crucial that industry leaders like Autodesk help equip STEM students and educators with the right tools at every stage of learning,” Mary Hope McQuiston, Vice President of Education at Autodesk, said in a statement.
“Reaching 150 million students and educators, and now expanding access to Flow Studio, shows what’s possible when learners can design, make, and tell their story with the same technology the pros use.”
Expanding Access to Creative Tools
As part of the milestone, Autodesk reported that its browser-based 3D design platform Tinkercad has reached 100 million users. The tool introduces young learners to STEM and creative problem-solving, often serving as a gateway to advanced applications such as Fusion and Forma.
The company is also extending free access to Autodesk Flow Studio – formerly Wonder Studio – for verified educators and students aged 18 and older. Flow Studio uses AI to automate complex visual effects tasks, including motion capture and character animation, making professional-grade VFX and animation tools accessible to those studying film, game design and digital content creation, for instance.
Supporting the Future Workforce
Autodesk’s education ecosystem combines technology access with certifications and career opportunities, working alongside schools, nonprofits, and industry partners. The company says its mission remains to empower students – whether aspiring architects, engineers, or artists – with the tools to design and make anything in an increasingly AI-driven world.
