Southwest Virginia’s Tapestry of Talent

England Furniture has maintained a commitment to employing the hardworking people of Appalachia since its founding. By exploring sites in close proximity to its existing Tennessee headquarters, the company was able to access the new talent it needed for growth while staying true to its target workforce.

With a long and fruitful history, the manufacturing industry continues to be a pillar of Southwest Virginia’s economy and is served by a skilled extended labor force of over 450,000. The region has built on its manufacturing legacy by working cooperatively with local community colleges, the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing to build industry-driven, tailored training programs. More than 75,000 students in the region are now attending college classes, ensuring that the regional workforce remains prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow. This emphasis on maintaining a competitive manufacturing workforce assured England Furniture that it could rely on local and regional stakeholders for support in its search for talent