Building Opportunity: Jaynes Helps Create Career Pathways in Albuquerque

When students from the YouthBuild program first stepped onto the Jaynes jobsite at Sol Housing’s Farolito Senior Community development in Albuquerque, they weren’t simply touring a construction project. They were stepping into a potential career path.

What began as a collaborative workforce initiative between Jaynes and Sol Housing evolved into something much more meaningful. A mentorship experience that exposed young people to the realities and opportunities of careers in the trades.

At the center of that experience was Jaynes Superintendent Jeremy St. Cyr.

Superintendent & Educator

“I never thought I’d be writing a curriculum,” Jeremy said with a laugh. “But we built the program around what was happening on Sol Housing’s Farolito jobsite in real time.”

The students participating through the Albuquerque Youthbuild program were part of a nationally recognized workforce development model focused on “opportunity youth,” young adults ages 16 to 24 who are out of school or underemployed.

Through the program, participants work toward earning their high school equivalency diploma while also receiving construction training, leadership development, and industry certifications such as OSHA 10 and NCCER credentials.

Construction Training and Mentorship in Albuquerque

What distinguishes Youthbuild’s program is its deeply local, immersive approach. Students aren’t just sitting in classrooms learning theory.

They are immersed in real projects, learning directly from construction professionals while contributing to developments that benefit Albuquerque communities.

Farolito, a Sol Housing affordable housing development constructed by Jaynes, was not only a major $30 million project site but also a classroom for students in Youthbuild.

Jeremy recalls the early stages as both exciting and complicated. Before students ever arrived onsite, the effort required coordination between Jaynes operations, legal, safety leadership, Associated Builders and Contractors, and YouthBuild organizers.

“The first session was all about safety,” Jeremy explained. “Orientation, PPE, expectations, we treated them like any subcontractor coming onto the project.”

From there, the program evolved into a structured, biweekly series of learning sessions tied directly to active construction operations. Students walked the site, reviewed plans, spoke with subcontractors, and learned about the dozens of specialized trades required to complete a modern building project.

Exploring Careers In The Skilled Trades

“At one point, I listed out 37 different trades working on the Farolito Senior Community project,” Jeremy said. “A lot of the students came in thinking construction was just hard labor. Once they saw the range of opportunities, it changed their perspective.”

That exposure became one of the most powerful aspects of the program. Students interacted not only with framers and laborers, but with electricians, HVAC contractors, millwork professionals, BIM specialists, project engineers, and architects. Jeremy and the Jaynes team even organized exercises where students built mock framing walls using donated materials and guidance from trade professionals.

“It was all real-world,” Jeremy said. “Nothing theoretical.”

For many students, the experience reshaped what they thought a career could look like.

Nationally, the conversation around college versus a career in the trades has shifted dramatically in recent years. While the debate around the value of college continues, today the skilled trades increasingly offer something many young adults find more valuable: high income potential, low debt, and clear career progression in fulfilling roles.

Construction apprentices can begin earning wages immediately while building specialized expertise through union programs and certifications.

Jeremy discussed those realities openly with students.

“We talked a lot about advancement,” he said. “You can start entry-level, but there are so many directions you can go, high-paying electrical specialties, HVAC systems, framing, project management, even technology. Construction isn’t just a fallback career. It’s a real professional path with great earning potential.”

From YouthBuild to a Career at Jaynes

One student who embraced that opportunity was Rocky Candelaria.

Rocky earned his High School Equivalency diploma through YouthBuild in just three months before continuing his hands-on construction training in Albuquerque. He also obtained his OSHA 10 and NCCER Construction credentials through the program, positioning himself for long-term success in the industry.

Today, Rocky is continuing that journey at Jaynes in the company’s Millwork Division while also pursuing his path in the carpenters’ union as a second-period apprentice.

Jeremy sees Rocky’s success as proof of what programs like YouthBuild can accomplish. “It worked for him,” he said. “And the class mattered.”

For Jeremy personally, the experience became something rare in the middle of the demanding pace of commercial construction.

“My job is constant problem-solving,” he said. “This was different. It was positive. The kids were curious, engaged, and excited. Watching them connect with the work  was a real bright spot.”

One memory still stands out to him: taking students onto the roof of the Farolito project after months of learning onsite.

“They looked out over Albuquerque and then back at the building,” Jeremy recalled. “That’s when it clicked. They realized they were helping build something real.”

Building the Future Workforce

That moment captures what the partnership between Jaynes, YouthBuild, and Sol Housing ultimately achieved.

The students weren’t simply introduced to construction. They were invited into an industry, and shown that there was a place for them within it.

And for students like Rocky Candelaria, that invitation is already becoming a career.

For young people in Albuquerque interested in learning more about Youthbuild, and fulfilling careers in the trades, call YouthBuild at (505) 920-9111.

Jaynes is a great place to work. For career opportunities at Jaynes, please visit our Careers section.