Maintainer U builds next-gen skilled professionals … and truck bodies

Maintainer Corporation continues investing in workforce development through Maintainer University, the company’s hands-on training and career development program designed to prepare students and employees for long-term success in manufacturing careers. 

One of the key components of Maintainer U is the Classroom-to-Career Program, which provides high school seniors the opportunity to participate in a work-study style program for one or two semesters, the company boasts. Students complete classroom instruction, simulator practice, and on-the-job training while working alongside experienced team members.

By the time they graduate high school, students are prepared to sign a letter of intent to begin their careers at Maintainer, according to the company.  

To introduce students to the program, Maintainer hosts an annual Junior Day event each spring. During this year’s event, local high school juniors toured the training facility and participated in hands-on demonstrations in welding, painting, electrical wiring, press brake operation, and other skilled trades using interactive simulators and equipment.

Students also met with current Maintainer U participants and staff during a Q&A session to learn more about career opportunities in manufacturing. 

“The training department held its annual Junior Day event for the local high schools, showcasing our Maintainer U program,” said Milt McPike, head of training at Maintainer. “We have finalized our roster for next year, with eight students first semester and nine students second semester.” 

In 2026, the program celebrated several major milestones, including the graduation of three Maintainer U students:

• Dominic Rounds of South O’Brien High School graduated and signed on as a welder.
• Phillip Van Westen of Sibley-Ocheyedan High School graduated and is working as a welder.
• Sebastian Lingle of Sibley-Ocheyedan High School graduated and works at Maintainer running electrical to prepare chassis for production.

These students successfully completed the program preparing them for careers in their skilled trades. 

In addition to preparing future employees, Maintainer U also focuses on continued education opportunities for current team members. The program provides training for newly hired employees as well as team members interested in learning additional skills or transitioning into new departments such as painting or welding.

Maintainer U also offers classes that support personal and professional growth outside of job-specific training, including driver’s license preparation courses, Spanish classes and computer literacy classes designed to strengthen basic computer skills.

“I am proud to congratulate Irma Chilel and Sandra Chavez for passing their driver’s license permitting process and their hard work preparing for the test by taking classes through Maintainer U,” McPike said. 

Through continued investment in training and employee development, Maintainer University is helping create opportunities for future skilled professionals while strengthening the company’s workforce for years to come.