Opening Doors: How Jaynes and Arches Are Investing in Albuquerque’s Future Workforce

In a city where career pathways can feel limited, Jaynes Corporation and Arches are proving that opportunity is built, not found. This September, a group of Albuquerque students from Arches stepped inside Jaynes’ facilities to discover the wide world of commercial construction and see themselves reflected in the professionals who make it happen.

Arches is a non-profit career accelerator in Albuquerque that exists to connect talented, motivated students with organizations that positively impact their communities.

For Ashley Procter, Arches’ Executive Director, the partnership with Jaynes is a natural fit. “Jaynes’ people I’ve met talk about how important community is,” she says. “Just like Arches’ mission, Jaynes’ mission isn’t just about getting work done and going home. This is about investing in the people and communities here in Albuquerque.”

That alignment of values is what sparked the career day at Jaynes. On September 25th, students from Arches visited Jaynes’s headquarters for a tour and presentations on careers at Jaynes. Jaynes Millwork employees Evelyn Gutierrez, Angel Sital, and Rylan Lastiyano led the tour of the Jaynes Millwork facility. The students also had the opportunity to hear short presentations about various career paths in commercial construction. The goal of the presentations by Arches and Jaynes was to spotlight rewarding and well-paying career tracks in commercial construction today. The presentations provided a realistic view of what a career in commercial construction entails and how to kick-start one if a student is motivated to pursue it.

Ashley Procter believes these experiences can shift mindsets and motivate young people. “Seeing successful professionals at work makes them see so much is possible for them,” she explains. Jaynes’ employee-centric culture supports that possibility for young people entering the industry. Unlike many firms where two- or three-year stints are typical, Jaynes employees often build entire careers, spanning 20, 30, even 40 years, under one roof. Recent success stories, such as Miguel Almeida’s, who advanced from Intern to Assistant Project Manager after earning degrees at UNM, demonstrate that upward mobility and professional fulfillment are hallmarks of a career in commercial construction today.

Seeing What’s Possible

The impact of a morning like this goes far beyond just a quick tour. When students meet people who once stood where they are now, they start to imagine a possible future they hadn’t considered. Procter points to one of her favorite examples. “We had a young woman who wanted to be a DEA agent,” she recalls. “When we sat her down with someone in the field, she was asked what she thought the job was like. She said, ‘Kicking down doors and busting bad guys.’ The DEA mentor explained the reality and helped her discover what she actually wanted out of a career.” Today, that student is thriving as a corrections officer, a career path that aligns more closely with her goals of helping people transform their lives.

That kind of vision, Procter says, is the magic of Arches’ work. “We call our mentors ‘guides.’ You’re really just walking in these doors with the students. You’re helping them develop essential soft skills, such as shaking hands, maintaining eye contact, and asking thoughtful questions. The change in the students over a couple of months is unbelievable. They start to realize, ‘I do belong in these places. Maybe this is really possible for me.’”

Building Community, One Student at a Time

For Jaynes, hosting this event isn’t about recruiting future employees on the spot. It’s about showing students what’s possible, building confidence, and investing in the city’s long-term success. “Some of these students may never come back to work for Jaynes,” Procter acknowledges. “But the company still believes in lifting the community.”

That mindset is why Jaynes has earned a reputation as a place where careers grow and leadership lasts. It’s also why Arches seeks partners who share its vision of “a future where everyone flourishes because of our collective potential.”

How to Get Involved

For young people seeking their best possible career journey or professionals looking to give back in a meaningful volunteer opportunity, visit Arches’ website or follow @Arches on Instagram for real-time updates.

Arches makes it easy for professionals to get involved. The time commitment is just one hour a month. Guides meet with students individually, offering insight into their career paths, answering questions, and introducing them to real-world networks. Interested in becoming a mentor? Apply here.

Together, Jaynes and Arches are showing Albuquerque students that every door can be opened and that their contributions are not only welcome but needed.