New York City is moving rapidly toward an electrified future. With electric vehicles, upgraded infrastructure, and billions in investment shaping the city’s energy landscape, transformation is well underway. However, beneath these ambitious developments lies a pressing issue within the electrical sector: a growing shortage of skilled electricians to meet rising demand.
For Richard Sajiun, CEO and Master Electrician at Sajiun Electric Inc., this concern is far from hypothetical. Having spent decades overseeing federal electrical projects across New York’s public infrastructure, he has witnessed a steady decline in the workforce pipeline even as project volumes continue to surge. With EV mandates expanding electrical requirements citywide, the gap between available expertise and upcoming work is becoming increasingly evident.
A Legacy Built on Mentorship
Founded in 1965 in the Bronx by Richard’s father, Sajiun Electric Inc. gradually evolved into a trusted contractor known for its reliability across institutional and government projects. When Richard took over in the mid-1990s, he steered the company toward federal and public-sector contracting—an area where precision, compliance, and technical depth are critical.
Today, the firm operates with a Master Electrician’s license, Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, and a proven track record of successfully completing government contracts without default. Yet despite these credentials, Richard believes the industry’s future hinges less on tools and technology and more on the people behind the work.
Electrical contracting, he explains, has always been rooted in mentorship. Experienced electricians pass down practical, field-tested knowledge to younger professionals skills that cannot be fully learned in classrooms alone.
But this time-tested model is now under pressure.
Across the United States, the industry faces the challenge of filling approximately 81,000 electrical job openings annually to keep pace with retirements and increasing demand. In cities like New York, where infrastructure upgrades are accelerating, this shortage is already becoming a constraint.
EV Expansion Intensifies the Challenge
The transition to electric vehicles is further amplifying workforce demands. New policies are pushing EV charging infrastructure into thousands of properties across New York City.
Local Law 55, introduced in April 2024, mandates that parking facilities with ten or more spaces begin integrating EV charging capabilities. By January 1, 2035, at least 20% of parking spots must include Level 2 chargers, while 40% must be charger-ready.
The scale is substantial. Out of more than 1,600 licensed parking facilities in the city, only around 324 currently have EV chargers installed. This means over 1,200 garages will require electrical upgrades within the next decade.
Simultaneously, new state regulations will require EV-ready parking in all new commercial developments with ten or more spaces starting in 2025.
The financial investment backing this transition is equally significant. Programs like Con Edison’s PowerReady initiative represent roughly $700 million in funding, while the state’s Make-Ready program contributes an additional $1.24 billion. Federal funding further expands the scope of these efforts.
For Richard Sajiun, these figures underscore both the scale of opportunity and the weight of responsibility.
“All the planning and funding ultimately depend on licensed electricians executing the work,” he explains. “You can create policies and programs, but someone still has to install these systems safely and correctly.”
Developing Tomorrow’s Workforce
According to Richard, addressing the electrician shortage goes beyond recruitment—it requires sustained investment in training and career development. As electrical systems grow more advanced, the need for highly skilled professionals who understand evolving codes, safety protocols, and infrastructure complexities becomes critical.
This is why Sajiun Electric Inc. prioritizes mentorship over rapid hiring. New team members are trained through hands-on experience, working alongside seasoned electricians who guide them through real-world scenarios from retrofitting aging systems to navigating compliance-heavy government projects.
This method not only ensures consistent quality and safety but also builds confidence and discipline among younger workers. It prepares them for high-stakes environments such as hospitals, public housing, and large-scale infrastructure systems.
Richard believes that strengthening this mentorship culture is essential for the industry as a whole. Without it, the workforce pipeline may struggle to support the massive infrastructure transformation currently underway.
Why the Talent Shortage Matters
Electrical work sits at the core of nearly every modernization initiative in New York City. EV charging networks, building electrification, and infrastructure upgrades all rely on skilled professionals capable of managing complex installations.
However, timelines for these projects are tightening. If the workforce gap continues to widen, delays, rising costs, and potential safety risks could become inevitable.
Richard stresses that the solution is not simply hiring more workers at a faster pace. Instead, the industry must focus on structured apprenticeship programs, long-term mentorship, and continuous skill development.
“Electrical expertise takes years to build,” he says. “Understanding systems, safety, and the responsibility of powering critical infrastructure cannot be rushed.”
Powering the Future Through People
As New York City advances toward a more electrified future, the importance of skilled electricians will only increase. From EV infrastructure to modern energy systems, the city’s ambitions ultimately rely on the individuals who build and maintain these networks.
For Richard Sajiun, the path forward is clear: investing in the next generation of electricians is just as crucial as investing in new technologies.
Because ultimately, every EV charger installed, every electrical panel upgraded, and every system powered safely depends on the expertise, discipline, and craftsmanship of the electricians who bring these projects to life.
