For Job Seekers in Houston: ‘Everything Depends on Technology and Access to It’

Brown: Almost every job today requires an online application. Without access to the internet, it can be difficult to find and apply for jobs. Hello, I'm Dara Brown. This is "Getting Connected," powered by Comcast Newsmakers. We're here today at the Net Inclusion 2024 conference in Philadelphia. Joining me to share efforts to remove barriers to employment by increasing access to technology and digital resources is Sheroo Mukhtiar. She is the Chief Executive Officer of SERJobs. Sheroo, thank you for being here.

Mukhtiar: Thank you, Dara.

Brown: So, how can digital literacy improve with individual job applications?

Mukhtiar: So, SERJobs is a community-based organization in Houston that eliminates barriers to employment. And the world that we live in, everything depends on technology and access to it, while also learning how to use it to its full potential. And so part of that effort is to ensure that people not only have access to the tools that they need, but they can also learn how to use those tools to complete educational requirements, to learn skills that they need related to the job, and then finally complete job applications so they can apply for jobs.

Brown: And how is SERJobs removing barriers to employment?

Mukhtiar: So, we're based all over Houston, the greater Houston area. Our main offices are located in the East End, which is a historic district of Houston, but we also serve a lot of the disadvantaged communities in Houston, where people don't have access to resources or the opportunities. We provide hands-on services that include coaching, they include educational programs that we offer. We're also able to place them with employers, and then, now, we also offer a hands-on digital navigation program.

Brown: And tell me about the community that you reach.

Mukhtiar: The communities that we are based in, they are very disadvantaged. They don't have access to a lot of the resources or even the information. And so our coaches are placed in those communities, especially for our seniors who are not able to get out and access a lot of the information or the opportunities. We have coaches that are embedded in the communities and can work directly with the people that need our services.

Brown: And when it comes to workforce development, where do you see SERJobs within the next five years?

Mukhtiar: Our goal and our vision is to be able to serve all of the people that need our services. Right now, with the resources that we have, it's limited to certain populations. Our goal is to really be able to increase those resources and have funding available so that we can serve anyone and everyone that needs our services.

Brown: Sheroo Mukhtiar, thank you so much for your time.

Mukhtiar: Thank you.

Brown: And thanks to you, as well, for watching. For more conversations about digital equity and broadband expansion, visit GettingConnected.com. I'm Dara Brown. ♪♪