by SER National | Feb 27, 2026 | News & Updates
RECOGNIZING WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICA’S ECONOMIC STRENGTH
In observance of Women’s History Month 2026, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates recognize the measurable and vital impact women have on the strength, resilience, and global competitiveness of the United States economy.
“Women are indispensable to the economic vitality of the United States,” said Ignacio Salazar, SER National President and CEO. “From small business ownership to corporate leadership to skilled trades, women are strengthening our labor force and driving innovation. At SER, we witness firsthand how access to training and opportunity translates into measurable economic growth.”
Women represent nearly 47 percent of the U.S. labor force, with more than 77 million women active across every major sector of the economy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women are also leading. They own more than 12 million businesses nationwide, generating nearly $2 trillion in annual revenue. In corporate leadership, women now hold approximately one in four C-suite positions and nearly 30 percent of board seats among S&P 500 companies — the highest representation in history.
“When women gain the skills and credentials needed for today’s competitive economy, families become more secure, communities become more stable, and our nation becomes more competitive,” Salazar said. “Workforce development is one of the most powerful economic tools we have, and ensuring women have full access to that pipeline is both smart policy and sound economics.”
Through a national network serving more than 1 million program participants annually, SER National and its affiliates provide workforce development, adult education, youth employment, and career placement services that expand economic mobility for women at every stage of life. These programs support women entering the workforce, transitioning careers, reentering after time away, or launching their own businesses.
Salazar adds that investing in women’s workforce participation is not symbolic. That investment is strategic. “While progress is evident, continued collaboration across public, private, and nonprofit sectors is essential to sustain momentum,” he states. “Strengthening access to high-quality training programs, apprenticeships, digital skills, small business capital, and supportive services will ensure women can continue expanding their leadership across industries,” says Salazar.
SER National invites Americans to join in building a workforce culture rooted in performance, opportunity, and shared prosperity — one in which women’s contributions continue to power a stronger, more vibrant United States economy. For more information on SER National’s programs and services, visit www.ser-national.org.
by SER National | Feb 15, 2026 | News & Updates
REAFFIRMING AMERICA’S ENDURING VALUES OF LEADERSHIP, VISION, AND FREEDOM
On Presidents Day, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates join the nation in honoring the strength, leadership, and vision that have defined the United States across generations. From the country’s founding to the present day, these enduring values have been inseparable from freedom, self-determination, and the belief that opportunity should be earned through hard work, skill, and perseverance.
“For generations, Americans have taken pride in building, creating, and sustaining this nation through their own talents and labor,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and Chief Executive Officer of SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Presidents’ Day reminds us that leadership is not abstract. It is measured by how well we prepare people to stand on their own, support their families, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and to our country.”
Presidents’ Day serves as a reminder that America’s progress has always depended on leadership with vision that invests in people and equips them to meet the demands of a changing economy. Today, that responsibility is more relevant than ever. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 70 percent of new jobs through the end of this decade will require education or training beyond a high school diploma, underscoring the critical role of workforce development in sustaining economic growth and individual self-sufficiency.
Each year, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates serve more than one million individuals, delivering job training, education, and workforce pathways that translate ambition into measurable outcomes. These efforts reflect a core American ideal: that freedom is strengthened when people are empowered with skills, credentials, and opportunity.
“As we see ourselves in 2026, the message of Presidents Day is especially clear,” Salazar said. “Visionary leadership requires us to think beyond today and invest in the workforce of tomorrow. At SER, we see our work as part of that American mission, unlocking potential, advancing economic mobility, and helping individuals rise as far as their talent and determination can take them.”
From border to border and shore to shore, SER programs reinforce the connection between leadership, vision, and freedom by preparing individuals for in-demand careers that support a strong and competitive nation. This Presidents’ Day, SER National calls on its staff, partners, and communities to recommit to excellence, accountability, and purpose in all that they do.
Presidents’ Day is not only a moment of reflection but also a call to action and a rededication to the values that have made the United States a nation of builders, innovators, and problem-solvers. “SER National remains committed to that mission, committed to being the best of the best in advancing opportunity, strengthening the workforce, and honoring the ideals that continue to define America,” concludes Salazar.
by SER National | Jan 31, 2026 | News & Updates
SER National Honors Black History Month by Affirming the Power of Work, Skills, and Shared Opportunity
SER National observes Black History Month by reaffirming a core American truth: progress is built through work, skills, and opportunity, and the contributions of Black Americans and other communities of color have always shaped the economic strength of the United States. This annual observance is not only a moment to reflect on history, but to recognize how workforce development and job training continue to fuel innovation, productivity, and shared prosperity across the nation.
“Black History Month reminds us that America’s story is, at its core, a story of the work of people who labored, learned, persevered, and built pathways not only for themselves, but for generations that followed,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO of SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Workforce development is about honoring that legacy by ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to acquire skills, refine them, and apply them in ways that strengthen families, communities, and our country,” adds Salazar.
Black History Month acknowledges the generations of Black workers, entrepreneurs, educators, and public servants whose labor and leadership helped build the modern American economy. From manufacturing and transportation to healthcare, education, technology, and public service, Black Americans have been essential to the growth and resilience of the nation’s workforce. Today, that legacy continues. Their contributions are indispensable to America’s economic vitality and competitiveness.
“SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates exist to ensure that opportunity keeps pace with that reality,” says Salazar. “We affirm those words with clear actions. Each year, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates serve more than one million participants through workforce development, job training, education, and skills-building programs that help individuals advance in their careers and help employers meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. This work reflects a long-standing belief that a strong work ethic, combined with access to training and opportunity, is the foundation of individual dignity, community stability, and national progress.”
The nation’s global economic standing depends on this commitment. As the United States competes in an increasingly interconnected world, innovation and productivity remain its greatest advantages. Investing in job training, credentialing, and lifelong learning is not optional; it is essential to maintaining America’s leadership in a competitive global economy.
Throughout Black History Month, SER National stands with the SER Network of Affiliates, partners, and communities to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and to recommit to the principles that have long defined economic advancement in this country. By strengthening skills, expanding access to training, and honoring the contributions of all workers, America reinforces the foundation of its prosperity.
“At this moment of reflection and celebration, all Americans can come together to recognize that our strength comes from respecting and valuing each other’s contributions,” Salazar said. “When we do that, the future possibilities for our nation are limitless.”
by SER National | Jan 18, 2026 | News & Updates
Workforce Development as a Path to Shared Economic Opportunity
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, SER National affirms that honoring Dr. King’s memory means advancing equal access to economic opportunity. Dr. King’s life’s work was rooted in the belief that justice, dignity, and broad access to employment are essential foundations of a thriving democracy.
“At SER National, we believe economic empowerment is inseparable from Dr. King’s dream that every person has a fair chance to contribute and succeed,” said Ignacio Salazar, President and CEO, SER Jobs for Progress National, Inc. “Workforce development is not just about filling jobs — it’s about enabling individuals to live with purpose and to strengthen their communities.”
Across America, publicly supported job-training networks — including those funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act — empower individuals with skills that substantially improve their prospects for sustainable employment. Recent research shows that targeted training programs materially increase job placement rates and long-term earnings, demonstrating that structured workforce training contributes to both individual economic advancement and broader labor market resilience.
Across more than two dozen states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the SER Network of Affiliates equips underserved workers with the training, certifications, and employment resources needed to thrive in today’s economy. From pre-employment preparation and job readiness to sector-specific upskilling and career pathway advancement, these services translate aspiration into real economic mobility.
“Our commitment to job training underscores our belief that opportunity should be available to everyone, regardless of background,” Salazar said. “On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to build pathways to economic independence and personal fulfillment.”
By focusing on results-driven training outcomes and community-centered workforce strategies, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates are expanding access to career opportunities and helping close persistent gaps in employment equity.
“Today, let us reclaim Dr. King’s call for unity and shared purpose,” Salazar said. “We must invest in people through training, apprenticeship, mentorship, and collaboration. We must build workforce paths that reflect America’s promise of equal opportunity. Let every American, from business leaders to civic partners, embrace the strength we gain by working together — forging not just jobs but dignity, prosperity, and hope for generations to come.”
by SER National | Dec 30, 2025 | News & Updates
Nation’s Service-Employment-Redevelopment Network Expands and Prevails Across the U.S. and Puerto Rico
“On behalf of SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates, we salute the more than 1 million program participants we have reached and served this year. They entered our doors at more than 200 locations across the country and in Puerto Rico, with high hopes and expectations of being uplifted and transformed. I proudly announce that we met their needs through our numerous training, education, and assistance services,” said Ignacio Salazar, President & Chief Executive Officer.
“The reports show that our program graduates are more robust, better equipped, and eager to progress or return to our nation’s workforce to sustain themselves and their families. From the country’s eastern shores to the Pacific, we have witnessed the most incredible reward people can experience: self-esteem. Their dignity and self-confidence soared when they received their certificate, diploma, or license and were recognized by family, friends, and employers. This experience was priceless,” adds Salazar.
“SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates will continue to remain focused on the mission of service within America’s local communities in 2026. We pledge to keep venturing out into neighborhood centers, churches, and civic associations to share our passion for reaching the historically underserved. Count on us to be on watch with our one-on-one attentiveness and caring for every individual we meet. These principles have set us apart for over 60 years, and with God’s blessing, we will prevail with servant hearts even in challenging times. May 2026 bring peace and prosperity to you, and may God continue to bless this great nation we call our home,” said Salazar.
