How to become A Manufacturing Production Technician

Detail-oriented, hardworking and experts in their field, Manufacturing Production Technicians ensure their country plays an influential role in the global economy by helping build a strong and vibrant manufacturing base.

• Production Technician
• Production Operator
• Manufacturing Operator
• Assembler

What do Manufacturing Production Technicians do?

A Manufacturing Production Technician would typically need to: 

• Set up, operate, monitor, and adjust manufacturing machinery or equipment, through a predetermined combination of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or computer technologies
• Work on or monitor the output of an automated assembly line or assembly station; be able to troubleshoot at a desirable level or involve senior colleagues in the resolution of the issue
• Inspect products to make sure finished products adhere to quality control specifications; ensure training and implementation of quality control measures across the production facility
• Keep detailed and accurate records to showcase that manufacturing is per internal and external quality control regulations
• Conduct regular inspection, cleaning, servicing as well as routine and preventative maintenance to minimise damage and breakdown of the equipment under their charge; compile productivity and incident reports, as required
• Use software such as word and spreadsheet to keep maintenance logs of the machines and processes they are responsible for
• Use word, spreadsheet and other software to keep records of all machines and procedures under the supervision
• Write productivity and incident reports for all evaluated machinery
• Reduce waste output by incorporating lean manufacturing protocols or by using six sigma to reduce variation in production 
• Observe strict internal protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and current good manufacturing practices (cGMP)  if employed by pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers
• Stay updated with new and changing methods of maintaining equipment and production processes
• Manage inventory to ensure smooth production processes; conduct requisite training sessions and refresher workshops
• Make sure health and safety regulations are a top priority at their workplace

The nature of their work demands that Manufacturing Production Technicians remain alert and on their feet while at their workstations in the plant. 

Manufacturing Production Technicians work a standard, full-time, 40 hours a week schedule, including early morning and late-night shifts. During peak times of production, longer shifts might be required.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Manufacturing Production Technicians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Manufacturing Production Technicians are generally employed by:

• Agricultural Companies
• Bio-Pharmaceutical Companies
• Aerospace Companies
• Automobile Companies
• Medical Technology Companies
• Consumer Goods Companies
• Food & Beverage Companies
• Education

Professional associations and organisations such as the International Society of Automation (ISA) and local and national unions are crucial for a Manufacturing Production Technician interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

Unions negotiate on behalf of workers to improve wages and working conditions and standardise entry requirements. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Extended periods spent standing and remaining in alert mode to mitigate accidents and incidents
• Accountability for quality control measures and careful monitoring of processes and production
• High probability of discomfort in a noisy work environment or one that is subject to unpleasant sights and smells, such as the tanning industry
• Ready access to protective gear; ensuring plant and public safety

Any academic program that a potential Manufacturing Production Technician takes up typically requires a period of vocational training.

You will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. You may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

Read about the profession and interview/shadow experts working in Manufacturing to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

The criteria can vary across this mammoth industry based on the employer, complexity of the manufacturing process, the quality control standards, the volume of production and the finished product.

In general, a high-school diploma should enable a Manufacturing Production Technician to secure an entry-level job. Most employers prefer to give on-the-job training to new hires in low-tech to mid-tech positions.

High-tech entities such as aerospace, semiconductor or medical device manufacturers require accredited certificates, diplomas or academic degrees from vocational schools. Comparable specialised vocational training may also be considered adequate for such jobs.

Candidates who have ambitions to progress way beyond the position of Manufacturing Production Technician enter the job armed with an associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering or the like.

Certification requirements differ based on the manufacturing process and product being manufactured.

In general, though, all Manufacturing Production Technicians should obtain certification in the four production modules of safety, quality practices & measurement, manufacturing processes & production and maintenance awareness.

Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market, carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent and increase your chances of advancement.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Manufacturing Production Technicians.

Employees with consistently high-performance levels may be eligible for promotion to senior or managerial roles.  They may also be able to move to other departments such as quality control, human resources and logistics and build a more versatile portfolio.

Manufacturing Production Technicians with certification, work experience, and the necessary job skills have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Manufacturing Production Technician build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

Most manufacturing facilities prefer to continually upskill their promising employees in other fields to be promoted to managerial roles.

Viable CPD options include gaining vocational certification or taking short courses in relevant fields such as mathematics, business administration, leadership and computer literacy.

A bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree may help you stand out amongst other candidates and allow you to apply to more prominent roles in a manufacturing company. 

Protective Gear

Manufacturing Production Technicians must wear ear protection, especially if working alongside loud machinery or in large factories and warehouses where it can get noisy. 

If working in the medical or pharmaceutical industry, technicians need to wear the appropriate protective gear required, both for personal safety and to avoid contaminating the product.

A New Breed of Technician

Increasingly, tech-savvy and multi-skilled workers are needed in the Manufacturing Production Technician field due to automation and computer-controlled machinery. Workers need to do a multitude of tasks and solve problems under minimal supervision. 

As a result, workers trained and confident with technology and have critical thinking, independence, and decision-making skills are highly sought after. 

Safety First

Due to new scientific discoveries and studies, compliance regulations regarding health and safety laws, environmental laws, and general procedures keep changing. An important part of training as a Manufacturing Production Technician revolves around staying updated with new regulations and implementing them as needed.

Non-compliance with new regulations and laws can be potentially dangerous and have profound implications. Therefore, managers and trainers need to train new Manufacturing Production Technicians to follow procedures effectively, and technicians must adhere to rules. 

Approximately six million parts are used to craft a single 747 aircraft; there are 40,000 rivets on each wing alone! A plane may get as many as 1,000 rejection slips before it is deemed complete. 

Though their work can be physically stressful, Manufacturing Production Technicians have a fulfilling job because they are invaluable members of the manufacturing procedure.

If machines are your passion, there is no better field where you can indulge your obsession while ensuring the safety of your workers and the general public who will be using the products. 

Be familiar with your company’s protocols, processes, and standards. If there is an opportunity for improvement, make sure to let leadership know. Taking the initiative shows dedication and can lead to you working on more exciting projects.