Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades. “Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your Read more
Harts Services

Tacoma plumbing service provider advocates transformational thinking about trades while building next-generation workforce with immersive Harts Academy initiative
Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company founded in 2013, urges jobseekers to consider the many rewarding, high-paying career opportunities available in the essential skilled trades.
“Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you’re frustrated in your current job and want to make a mid-career change, we encourage everyone to think about the trades as a meaningful alternative to the traditional career path,” said Rich Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. “Many of us have been taught that attending a four-year college is the only way to have a successful and satisfying career. But we’re starting to see that college doesn’t necessarily pay off for everyone. That’s leading a lot of young people to look for other options.”

Harts Services, a top-rated Tacoma-based plumbing company, supports jobseekers considering a rewarding, high-paying career in the essential skilled trades with its innovative Harts Academy in-house training program.
As the cost of a college education continues to rise, the long-term financial value of a four-year degree is steadily declining. At the same time, an ongoing shortage of skilled labor is driving up demand for trained workers in home service industries such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC. Experienced technicians in those fields are highly employable and can demand premium salaries as well as signing bonuses, paid training and opportunities for rapid advancement.
“Instead of treating trades as a fallback, we want people entering the trades to be energetic and enthusiastic,” Hart said. “Being a plumber or electrician requires training, focus, problem-solving and people skills, just like any other profession. It’s a dynamic and engaging field with a lot of upside, especially in today’s labor market.”
In 2022, Harts Services launched Harts Academy, an innovative in-house apprenticeship program that prepares motivated trainees for immediate employment.
The Harts Academy program includes four weeks of comprehensive classroom education and immersive hands-on experience in the Harts Academy plumbing platform. Classroom sessions are followed by two to three years of supervised field training with licensed plumbers, with pay raises to match experience, testing and skill level. Harts Academy also provides preparation assistance for the plumber licensing exam.
“We created Harts Academy to help meet the needs of our industry overall and transform how younger generations think about the trades,” Hart said. “We’re investing in the creation of a truly trained and expert team not only here at Harts but throughout the Pacific Northwest. It’s part of a major disruption that we expect to unlock new opportunities for young people, drive economic growth and ensure that homeowners have access to the services they need.”
Harts Academy apprentices support plumbing leads in the warehouse and on jobsites while actively learning core skills. A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are required. Apprentices must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and are expected to work in crawlspaces, operate machinery, climb ladders and stairs, and other physical work in the warehouse and on jobsites.
For more information about Harts Services, please call (253) 470-8766 or visit www.hartsservices.com.
For more information about Harts Academy or to apply, visit https://hartsservices.com/academy-apprentice-program/.

The leading Pacific Northwest plumbing and electrical provider partners with the Tacoma Rainiers to recognize another slate of outstanding veterans and active service members Harts Services, a top-rated Pacific Northwest plumbing and electrical company founded in 2013, is proud to look back on another season honoring area veterans and active service members through the Harts Read more
The leading Pacific Northwest plumbing and electrical provider partners with the Tacoma Rainiers to recognize another slate of outstanding veterans and active service members
Harts Services, a top-rated Pacific Northwest plumbing and electrical company founded in 2013, is proud to look back on another season honoring area veterans and active service members through the Harts Hometown Heroes program in partnership with the Tacoma Rainiers, the AAA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Harts Services recognized seven Hometown Heroes during the Rainiers’ 2023 season for their commitment and sacrifice. Each Hometown Hero enjoys a Rainiers game with friends and family from the exclusive Commencement Bank Summit Club courtesy of Harts Services and is introduced to fans from the Cheney Stadium field between innings.
Harts Services also donated $4,300 to the Wounded Warrior Project at the end of the season — $100 for every Rainiers home win in 2023.
“We have many service members and veterans in the area, and we’re proud to be able to give something back to them,” said Richard Hart, co-owner of Harts Services. “The Hometown Heroes program is our way of saying thanks to some of the outstanding members of our community who have sacrificed on our behalf. Without their service, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the freedoms we have.”

Between May and September, Harts recognized the following Hometown Heroes:
- Karin Harnishfeger: After joining the U.S. Navy in 1995, the first Harts Hometown Hero of 2023 was stationed in Kuwait, Japan and Spain as well as multiple locations in the United States during her career. Harnishfeger retired in 2017 as an E8 senior chief.
- Matthew Westberry: Staff Sgt. Matthew Westberry’s 13 years in the U.S. Marine Corps included deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Jacob Sullivan: U.S. Air Force Sgt. Jacob Sullivan is currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. He has been stationed around the United States and Italy during his 14 years of active duty, including deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
- Amanda Stambach: Lt. Col. Amanda Stambach is a veteran of combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, she will retire from the Army in January after 24 years of service.
- Steve Hice: Steve Hice joined the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday and was stationed in Germany when the Berlin Wall fell and was later deployed for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He’s been a train conductor in Tacoma for the last 31 years.
- Selena Coppa: Sgt. Selena Coppa served eight years in Army intelligence and security command, including deployment in Iraq, before retiring.
- Wesley Howard: Wesley Howard served multiple deployments as an aviation electrician on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers during his eight years of service (2000-2008).
Harts Services provides critical plumbing services, including emergency plumbing, bath and kitchen plumbing, water lines, water heater repair and installation, sewer line repair and installation, trenchless sewer repair, drain clearing, sump pump repair and installation, and more. Harts Services also offers top-notch electrical services, including breakers, circuits, outlets, lighting, EV charge stations, generators, and more. For more information, call (253) 470-8766 or visit www.hartsservices.com.