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.
by SER National | Dec 23, 2025 | News & Updates
Nation’s Service-Employment-Redevelopment Network Invites All Its Program Participants, Sponsors, and Network of Affiliates to Pause for Peace and Goodwill
“SER National respects that this is the time of year when we each observe the profound beauty of our individual faith and freedoms,” said Ignacio Salazar, President & Chief Executive Officer. “Yet, in our hurried modern lives, pausing to gift ourselves the time to reflect is challenging. There are many meaningful truths worthy of our time this holiday season. Among them are our individual God-given talents and how we can share these with others,” says Salazar.
Across the United States, trends show distinct regional differences in aptitudes and skill sets. For over 60 years, SER National and the SER Network of Affiliates have celebrated the uniqueness of America’s workforce and tailored its programs to meet participants where they are.
“Today, America invites all persons to partake in the opportunity of self-improvement through education and training, not simply a privileged few,” says Salazar. Therefore, while some metrics may show other countries leading in digital performance, supply chain systems, or mobile development, the USA is the one place on earth where we each contribute to the larger whole without losing our individuality or the rewards of our personal striving. “I am honored to collaborate with a network of community-based organizations, the SER Network of Affiliates, dedicated and devoted to the power of life-changing transformation through training and workforce development. This is our greatest gift to share this holiday season, and we are blessed to do so with the full knowledge that our most significant rewards are still ahead,” says Salazar.
by SER National | Nov 26, 2025 | News & Updates
Nation’s Service-Employment-Redevelopment Network Invites Us To Express Gratitude
“One of life’s greatest joys is to see a child’s curiosity in action and how they use it to transform the ordinary into a magical experience they call play,” says Ignacio Salazar, SER National President & CEO. “No matter how small or seemingly insignificant the object, place, or setting may be, children possess the innate gift of seeing that moment through their lens of imagination and discovery. As we grow up, the child in us gives way to the adult reality of constantly dealing with challenges, pressures, and expectations. Yet, Thanksgiving allows us to reflect, reset, and really ask ourselves, what are the things in my life that make me the happiest?” he adds.
“Americans often associate happiness with big, expensive material things. Yet the truth is that when we stop to remember the experiences that made us happiest growing up, those moments were not about money. They were times with family, good and not-so-good, but together, hopeful and striving to make life better. We yearn for those feelings, and Thanksgiving gives us a chance to reclaim that simplicity of gratitude and the expressions of love and appreciation for one another,” adds Salazar.
We are grateful to live in a bountiful nation, strengthened by the confluence of our gifts, skills, and experiences. We are also abundantly blessed because our founders foresaw times of trials and tribulations and created the framework for us to endure and prevail. At SER National and our SER Network of Affiliates, we wish to express gratitude this Thanksgiving for the privilege of serving the millions and millions of men and women over our 62 years. They have affirmed the spiritual truth that there is more joy in giving than receiving.
“May we each seek to rediscover thankfulness for the simple and those gifts money cannot buy in life. We send our warmest regards and wishes for a safe, happy Thanksgiving; your hearts full of a child’s joy, and your homes filled with the laughter and love of friends and family. May God bless you,” Ignacio Salazar, SER National President & CEO
