Investing in Local: How Lantech and J-Town Are Keeping Talent in the Community

"The welding students and the machine tool students we get out of JCPS are far better than the welding students we are getting out of paid programs in the community,” shares Christina Jay, HR Manager at Lantech. As one of the original Academies of Louisville partnerships, Lantech’s continued investment in Jeffersontown High School’s students provides a blueprint for keeping the best young talent in the community.

Lantech, a Louisville-based manufacturing company in Jeffersontown (J-Town), understands the core “why” of Academies partnerships: deep commitment to investment and talent development, not just hiring. Nine years after the partnership’s genesis, Lantech continues to see the dividends of its investment in a work-ready pipeline that is choosing to stay not just in Louisville but in Jeffersontown. 

Industry’s "Why": Investing in Local Talent

Lantech’s involvement with the Academies of Louisville began before 2016, stemming directly from a top-down commitment to local investment. Jay explains, "Jim Lancaster, our CEO, is really passionate about investing in our community. Jim was a huge part of bringing the Academies to Louisville, and then really it started from the top down from him." This sustained executive commitment ensures the partnership remains a strategic priority.

Lantech views the partnership as an investment in the community's future, not just a quick-fix recruiting effort. Ashley Conway, J-Town's Academy Coach, observes that Lantech uses their students "to help ease some of the workload" on existing employees, demonstrating a focus on development over urgent gap-filling. Jay says, "We saw it as a pipeline to develop talent," and a way to "breathe life into HR," giving the team an outlet to "foster growth within these kids." This genuine interest ensures the focus remains on student development, including vital life skills, rather than solely on immediate corporate needs.

This philosophy drives an adaptive, student-centered approach. Conway notes that "Lantech's ability to evolve as the Academies of Louisville has evolved is truly what makes them a strong, longstanding partner." As an example of this continual innovation, when Lantech’s HR department wasn’t receiving students’ applications, Jay even created a dedicated online application link for students.

Education’s "How": Building Superior Talent

The Lantech partnership ensures J-Town students receive tailored, high-rigor training that leads to verifiable skill mastery and a strong work ethic, directly confronting the disconnect often criticized in high school education. J-Town welding teacher Greg Smith places full confidence in the program: "I can depend on them to be a good employer to the students. I know they’re going to get a good experience going to work there."

The success is rooted in the quality of the student pipeline. Smith highlights current Lantech welding co-op and senior, Maya, as an example of this preparedness, noting she "shows up every day...smile on her face ready to work," and "takes real pride in her work." He adds that through the partnership, students gain essential non-technical skills: "all the soft skills that a student needs going into a company, they’re going to get from Lantech."

Jay confirms that this pipeline's strength is no accident; it is the result of direct collaboration. "The curriculum is coming from exactly what Lantech has identified, or Jones Plastic has identified, or KCC has identified as the skill sets we need for these students coming off the bat," she explains. This educational innovation ensures that J-Town students enter the workforce not just with basic knowledge, but with skills already "leaps and bounds ahead" of their peers.

The Dividends: Proof in the Pipeline and Full-Circle Investment

Lantech’s investment in development generates exceptional dividends in loyalty and a readily available skilled workforce that stays local. This success is not accidental; it is a direct result of the partnership's focus on guaranteeing students a future. By empowering students economically, Lantech secures their long-term commitment. Jay emphasizes this core goal: giving students "tools on their tool belt to be able to go out and make a sustaining wage where they can be out on their own when they're 18."

The data proves the success of this strategy:

• Since 2016, Lantech has hosted over 53 high school co-ops.

• Of those 53 co-ops, 43 have moved on into a full-time capacity (some moving to FAME or military service).

• Currently, 11 Lantech associates started their careers at Lantech as J-Town co-ops, demonstrating long-term retention.

• Three students advanced from the co-op program into the competitive Kentucky FAME program, the globally recognized earn-and-learn advanced manufacturing apprenticeship.

Kody Raymond’s journey illustrates this pipeline perfectly. He secured his co-op in machine tool during his senior year, seamlessly transitioning to full-time work right after graduation in May 2020, now working as a top-level machinist. His satisfaction is rooted in the employer's culture: "They treat you well. It’s like a family here." Recently married and expecting his first child, Raymond has not only grown with Lantech but has established a secure foundation for his family. This career longevity is the ultimate dividend: "I plan on probably retiring here at Lantech, if I’m going to be honest."

Conway summarizes the shared effort: "They take ownership of our students, the way that the school takes ownership of our students, to help grow them into model employees." The Lantech and J-Town partnership ultimately proves that investing in local talent ensures that the best young professionals choose to stay and build their careers in Louisville. Kody provides the final validation for this Academies partnership: "Had I not had that experience at J-Town and that machine tool class, I probably wouldn't have been able to co-op here at Lantech and had the opportunity to jumpstart my career." This full-circle investment ensures that the future of J-Town’s manufacturing workforce is being forged today in Lantech's back yard.