Essel Skilled Trades

Essel Skilled Trades (also known as ESSEL Inc.) connects talent in skilled trades, emergency response, and environmental fields with companies and projects. We augment workforces for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) and Emergency Response sectors, making sure the right personnel are available for project execution.

Our services include environmental compliance guidance, helping with processes from sampling through clearances, and providing experienced environmental teams nationwide. We offer staffing solutions across California and nationwide, specializing in:

• Skilled trades staffing for retail to multifamily projects
• AEC and environmental staffing for roles like environmental technicians and project engineers
• Direct hire recruiting for higher-level candidates
• Mission-critical staffing

Our staffing approach focuses on precision-driven talent sourcing. We offer vetted candidates, screening for competency, character, and culture fit, and provide full support during talent deployment.

Dr. Samhita Lahiri founded the company in 2003 as Essel Environmental. We initially provided environmental consulting services in California, helping public sector clients manage hazardous materials. In 2019, under CEO Nik Lahiri, we expanded our operations into disaster response staffing nationwide. By 2022, we hired our own recruiters to manage demand, working on wildfire and hurricane response, and began assisting the AEC sector. In 2023, we further expanded our divisions to include dedicated teams for AEC, Emergency Response, and Technology.

We have grown to over 100 employees and operate offices in Northern California (Oakland), Southern California (San Pedro), New Orleans, Portland, and Houston. We have been recognized as one of Inc 5000’s fastest-growing companies for two consecutive years.

We are committed to client stewardship, being proactive, and delivering results for our clients.

Our core values include:

• Agility: Our teams work where needed, are available as required, and respond promptly to client calls.
• Integrity: This is central to our existence. We emphasize transparency with both our team and clients, and we are committed to doing the right thing.
• Growth Mindset: We foster an environment where challenges are seen as opportunities, and we actively seek solutions.

We were founded with a vision to offer an alternative to corporate conglomerates. We aim to build trust through long-term client relationships by consistently being proactive.

We have over 100 employees. We foster a collaborative, supportive, and results-focused culture that emphasizes growth opportunities for our people.

Our work environment values agility, integrity, and a growth mindset. We prioritize depth over breadth, aiming to complete many projects for a single client rather than one project for many. This approach fosters long-term trust. Our leadership emphasizes that execution and making a difference are paramount, not rank or titles.

We provide our employees with:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance
• 6 paid holidays
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and sick days
• Bonuses
• A hybrid work schedule