Building New York’s EV future starts with building the workforce

Billions of dollars are flowing into New York’s clean energy transition. Electric vehicle charging stations are expanding, new regulations are pushing buildings toward electrification, and policymakers are mapping out an ambitious vision for a greener future.

But beneath the headlines and funding announcements lies a question that receives far less attention: Who is actually going to do the work?

For Richard Sajiun, CEO and Master Electrician of Sajiun Electric Inc., the answer isn’t as straightforward as many people assume.

After decades of overseeing electrical projects across public infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and government buildings, Sajiun has witnessed New York’s electrification momentum firsthand. Yet he believes the biggest challenge isn’t technology, policy, or even funding. It’s people.

A growing demand meets a shrinking workforce

The push toward electrification is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. From EV charging infrastructure to large-scale building upgrades, the volume of electrical work required over the next decade is enormous.

At the same time, the industry is facing a growing shortage of skilled electricians.

Founded in 1965 by Richard’s father, Sajiun Electric has spent more than half a century working throughout New York. During that time, Richard has watched the profession evolve, but one thing has remained constant: electrical work depends on experience.

“It has always been a trade built on mentorship,” he explains. “The knowledge that keeps projects safe and successful is often passed from one generation to the next.”

Today, that transfer of knowledge is becoming more difficult as veteran electricians retire and fewer young workers enter the field.

Industry projections suggest that roughly 81,000 electrical positions must be filled annually nationwide simply to meet demand. In New York, where infrastructure projects continue to multiply, the pressure is becoming increasingly visible.

The EV boom is raising the stakes

The challenge has become even more urgent as electric vehicle adoption grows.Under Local Law 55, parking facilities across New York City must gradually add EV charging infrastructure over the coming decade. Thousands of charging stations will need to be installed, requiring extensive electrical upgrades throughout the city.

State and federal incentives have created significant financial support for these efforts. Programs like Con Edison’s PowerReady initiative and New York’s Make-Ready program are helping businesses prepare for the transition.

Yet funding alone cannot solve the problem.

“All the planning and funding ultimately depend on licensed electricians executing the work,” says Sajiun. “You can create policies and programs, but someone still has to install these systems safely and correctly.” The concern isn’t whether the technology exists. It’s whether there will be enough trained professionals available to implement it.

Why mentorship may be the missing piece

At Sajiun Electric, addressing the workforce shortage starts with investing in people.

Rather than focusing solely on recruitment, the company prioritizes hands-on training and mentorship. New electricians work alongside experienced professionals, learning skills that cannot be fully taught in a classroom. For Sajiun, this approach is essential because electrical expertise takes years to develop.

“Understanding systems, safety, and the responsibility of powering critical infrastructure cannot be rushed,” he says.

As New York continues building its electrified future, Sajiun believes conversations about infrastructure must include conversations about workforce development.

After all, charging stations, upgraded buildings, and modern electrical systems don’t install themselves. Behind every clean-energy goal is a skilled professional making it possible.

And according to Richard Sajiun, that workforce may be the most important infrastructure investment of all