In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Ashley installed CNC equipment in its advanced manufacturing lab.

65,000 students and counting: How Ashley is closing the skills gap

Amina Accram Brooks //October 20, 2025

ARCADIA, Wis. — Ashley Furniture, a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of home furnishings, is tackling the skills gap in U.S furniture manufacturing by training, educating and upskilling students.

Since 2016, more than 65,000 students have benefited from its educational programs, and the company credits its comprehensive networks of partnerships, training and foundations with creating opportunities that prepare students for careers in manufacturing and related fields.

Cole Bawek, vice president of public relations and communications for Ashley, said this number represents everything from its foundations, upskilling programs, national manufacturing initiatives for K-12 and post-secondary initiatives, to STEM projects and programs for technical colleges and university systems.

“When you add up all the amount of students since 2016 that have been impacted through Ashley or the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation, more than 65,000 students have been positively impacted through our educational programs,” Bawek said.

A national challenge

According to a report released last year by the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte, “Taking Charge: manufacturers support growth with active workforceLinkstrategies,” as many as 3.8 million additional employees could be needed in manufacturing between 2024 and 2033.

Further, the report showed 1.9 million jobs could remain unfilled if manufacturers are not able to address the skills and applicant gaps. Also, $454 billion in manufacturing output is at risk by 2028, the report estimated, which is the added value U.S manufacturing could lose if the gap in filling open jobs continues.

That national challenge is one Ashley Furniture is working to address. Bawek said Ashley wants to counter the “we don’t have skills narrative” by directly building American-made skills pipelines.

“Ashley recognized very early there was a significant skills gap in the workforce and wanted to address it,” he said. “We required a strategic and long-term approach to developing the talent pipeline.

“Most recently, over the past five years, we’ve invested billions of dollars into our organization as a whole that’s focused on manufacturing and distribution capabilities, technology and, most critically, in talent development.”

The company, which is also upskilling its current workforce, says it views investing in educational programs as vital for both business and social responsibility. That commitment, executives say, is central to preparing employees for evolving industry demands.

Current, future workforce

Bawek stressed the importance of upskilling, noting its role in the workforce of today and the future given the rapid advances in artificial intelligence, robotics and automation.

“Part of our talent is upskilling our current workforce through comprehensive leadership programs,” he said. “We train team members in our advanced technology maker centers; we’ve created a new Ashley career program. We’ve also implemented AI training and development initiatives to help ensure our workforce stays ahead of our technological advancements.”

In addition to its internal workforce programs, Ashley has invested heavily in educational initiatives spanning K-12 programs through universities that create career pathways for students. Ashley says through these networks they can build a bridge betwee education and industry.

“Our educational programs and initiatives span from elementary classrooms to university, with laboratories across multiple states,” said Bawek. “It’s really paired between Ashley Furniture and the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation to build that comprehensive network to prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges.”

Some of Ashley’s educational programs include:

• The Wanek Center of Innovation at Western Technical College, in Wisconsin: It opened in August 2025 and will serve more than 1,000 students annually in fields of advanced manufacturing such as cybersecurity and mechatronics.
• The Whitehall Regional Emerging Technology Laboratory Center in Wisconsin: This lab’s curriculum allows students to earn college credits while still in high school, giving them seamless transition to higher education. Students at this center can explore robotics, automation, AI, drones, coding, engineering and fabrication.
• University of Wisconsin-Stout partnership supported the transformation of the university’s advanced manufacturing program, leading to articulated agreements have enhanced polytechnic capabilities by bridging high school and technical college competencies into their credited pathways.
• Invested in the use of the Ashley Mobile Skills Laboratory in Mississippi and Wisconsin, allowing students the opportunity to learn about and work with automation, robotics and Industry 4.0 technoloyg, all which supports advanced manufacturing pathways.
• STEM 101: A program that spans multiple states where Ashley has a partnership with The STEM Academy, which a non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive curriculum across all grade levels and teaches practical hands-on K-12 STEM educational programs. STEM 101 includes summer camps and classroom initiatives.
• October Manufacturing Month: During the month, Ashley invites thousands of students to its factories to experience manufacturing.

Building on community

Ashley operates manufacturing and distribution centers in Mississippi, North Carolina, Florida, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, and it tailors its educational and workforce programs to the needs of each community.

“We have to evaluate the opportunities based on the community need, the alignment with our business objectives, as well as the potential for truly meaningful impact as well,” said Bawek, adding, “We have to realize that maybe what we have developed in one area may not fulfil the needs of another area.”

The home furnishing giant says it will continue to assess the needs of educational programs and training in the areas where it is manufacturing and distributing. It plans to continue its investment in its educational and training facilities and programs to strengthen both its workforce and local communities.

https://www.furnituretoday.com/manufacturers/65000-students-and-counting-how-ashley-is-closing-the-skills-gap