Picture your first week: you’re on the shop floor at Wiegel Tool Works, shadowing master Tool and Die Makers as they set up dies, measure to microns, and dial in precision. By late afternoon, you’re building confidence at a machine station, then two evenings a week you head to the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) for hands-on coursework that connects theory to everything you touched that day. Day by day, you advance from helper to contributor to trusted maker.
Program Highlights
Five-year, earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship
10,000 paid hours of on-the-job learning at Wiegel headquarters
Three years of TMA instruction—tuition and related educational costs fully covered by Wiegel
Full-time employee status for the duration of the program
Typical workweek: 40+ hours, Monday through Friday
Evening classes at TMA twice weekly (3-hour sessions)
TMA academic calendar of two 14-week semesters each year
Nationally recognized Certificate of Completion issued by the U.S. Department of Labor upon graduation
Clear pathway to a full-time Journeyman Tool and Die Maker role at Wiegel
Your Rewards & Support
Health, dental, and life insurance
Supplemental insurance options
Paid holidays and vacation time
Retirement savings plan
Additional employee perks and development opportunities
Skills You’ll Practice and Master
Tool design, die machining, and die assembly
Turning, machining, jig boring, jig grinding, and die grinding
Electrode manufacturing, plunge EDM, and wire EDM operation
CNC machining and CNC programming, including wire programming
Polishing, finishing, heat treat preparation, and hole popping
Layout inspection, quality inspections, and sensor applications
Press room operations and die maintenance/repair
Who Thrives Here
High school diploma or GED preferred
Hands-on mechanical curiosity and a strong desire to learn
Interest in manufacturing, machining, and engineering concepts
Collaborative mindset and reliable team habits
Strong attendance and commitment to finishing the apprenticeship
Comfort with math, measurement, and practical problem-solving
Capability to meet the physical demands of a production environment
Why This Apprenticeship Stands Out
Develop a respected, well-paid trade with no student debt
Earn a paycheck while building real products and tooling
Use advanced equipment and modern manufacturing technologies
Grow technical troubleshooting and precision-thinking skills
Experience multiple processes across the toolroom and press room
Build a professional network within a thriving industry
Graduate with nationally recognized credentials and long-term prospects
Your Career Trajectory
Complete the program with confidence, credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor, and the opportunity to step into a Journeyman Tool and Die Maker role at Wiegel Tool Works. Start as an apprentice—grow into a maker whose work powers world-class manufacturing.