Manufacturing depends on people who know how to turn materials into precision parts through skill, patience, and focus. Across the country, many companies are struggling to replace experienced tradespeople who are nearing retirement. Principal Manufacturing Corporation has taken a long-term approach to that challenge by developing its own apprenticeship programs. The goal is to create opportunities for people who want to learn the trades and build a career in a field that rewards consistency and craftsmanship.
A Structured Path to Skilled Careers
Principal’s apprenticeship programs give participants the chance to earn while they learn in three essential areas: Tool & Die, CNC Machining, and Machine Maintenance.
The Tool & Die and Machine Maintenance programs last five years. Apprentices complete three years of classroom instruction while gaining hands-on experience at Principal’s Broadview facility. The final two years focus entirely on practical application under the guidance of experienced tradespeople. Graduates earn a journeyman certificate from the Department of Labor, recognizing the time and effort invested in mastering their craft.
The CNC Machining program follows a three-year model that blends coursework with production experience. Apprentices move through each phase of machining, from setup and programming to advanced part production, until they can manage the full process independently.
Each program reflects Principal’s belief that true capability is built through repetition, mentoring, and real-world application, not just time in a classroom.
Partnerships That Strengthen the Pipeline
Workforce development begins with awareness. Principal collaborates with local high schools that offer trade-related coursework, helping students see manufacturing as a modern, technology-driven field. We also partner with the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) and regional colleges such as College of DuPage, Triton, and Oakton.
These organizations provide the classroom instruction that complements on-site training at Principal. The partnership model connects education and industry in a way that benefits both students and employers. It helps young people turn their early technical interests into a meaningful career path while supporting a stronger manufacturing community in Illinois.
Learning from Experience
Apprentices work directly with Principal employees who have spent years developing technical expertise and problem-solving skills. Mentors share practical knowledge that can’t be found in a textbook, showing apprentices how to identify and correct issues, read tool wear, or plan setups that keep production running smoothly.
One long-time employee illustrates the potential of this path. He joined Principal nearly 28 years ago as a machine operator and later enrolled in the Tool & Die apprenticeship. After completing the program, he spent years in the tool room refining his skills before moving into leadership as Tool & Die Department Manager. His career reflects what happens when technical training is paired with mentorship and opportunity – the kind of long-term success that strengthens both the individual and the company.
Building a Workforce for the Future
Principal’s apprenticeship programs play a critical role in sustaining the skilled trades. Supporting students and early-career professionals helps us grow our talent base while offering apprentices a clear career path. Many participants stay on as full-time employees after earning their certificates, adding stability and depth to the workforce.
The benefits extend beyond individual success. Friends, siblings, and classmates often hear about the program and apply themselves, creating an expanding network of new tradespeople who already know Principal’s reputation and culture. For a family-owned company, that kind of growth reinforces our long-standing focus on people and continuity.
Retention and advancement are key outcomes. Apprentices who begin their careers at Principal often continue to develop new skills over time, contributing to our ability to adapt to new technologies and evolving customer demands.
Continuous Improvement from the Start
Continuous improvement shapes every part of Principal’s operation, and apprentices are introduced to that philosophy from their first day on the floor. They learn how to measure accuracy, evaluate efficiency, and think through ways to improve the process. Classroom concepts become tangible through daily work, giving apprentices a sense of ownership in their progress.
The focus on creative problem-solving helps them develop habits that last well beyond training. Every improvement, no matter how small, supports our commitment to precision and reliability for our customers.
A Lasting Commitment to People
Manufacturing excellence begins with people who care about their work and take pride in learning their trade. Principal Manufacturing Corporation invests in that development through apprenticeships that teach skill, confidence, and accountability. The approach builds careers, strengthens the industry, and carries forward the values that have guided our company for more than four decades.
Through partnerships, mentorship, and a focus on real experience, Principal is helping shape the future of manufacturing, one apprentice at a time.
