Meeting the Demand for Production Technicians

Christye Leasure, Ghent Manufacturing, Inc., presents as part of a panel at the November 6th Ohio Manufacturers' Association Workforce Summit

From Christye’s view:

The Challenge

Production Technician roles continue to be in strong and consistent demand across the Greater Cincinnati region. Manufacturers in food and beverage, general manufacturing, and specialized and technical fields are all competing for qualified talent. Job search platforms show more than 1,000 open Production Technician positions in the Cincinnati area—evidence of an upward trend in regional manufacturing growth.

The Production Technician position serves as a vital entry point into manufacturing careers. It provides employers with a stable, long-term workforce and offers employees clear opportunities for career advancement. These skilled team members bridge the gap between operators and employees with associate or bachelor’s degrees in engineering or related disciplines.

A Collaborative Solution

To respond to this growing need, Ohio manufacturers—working through the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) and its regional Industry Sector Partnerships (ISPs) including AMIP, in collaboration with Accenture—conducted a comprehensive skills-based analysis of more than 200 production-related competencies.

Using the OMA’s Competency Model, over 40 manufacturers across Ohio identified the essential skills required for success in Production Technician roles.

The result is the Production Technician Earn & Learn Model—a practical, scalable workforce solution. Through this program, Production Technician Trainees work four days per week in paid, on-the-job training and spend one day per week in classroom learning at a community college or training center. Over the course of the program, trainees develop the technical and soft skills needed to excel in manufacturing careers, supported by mentoring from experienced industry professionals.

AMIP’s Leadership Role

AMIP has been selected as one of three Industry Sector Partnerships statewide to lead this innovative pilot. In the coming months, AMIP will work closely with manufacturers, community career and technical education schools, and workforce partners to launch and expand the Production Technician Earn & Learn training program across the region.

This collaborative effort is a critical step toward building a stronger, more sustainable manufacturing workforce for the future.

Christye Leasure, Ghent Manufacturing Inc. (GMI) is a family-owned manufacturer in Warren County specializing in visual communication products. GMI is long-time AMIP member and an industry leader.