Developing the Next Generation of Good-Natured Technicians
Welcome to the Summers & Zim’s apprenticeship program: a hands-on, paid, certification-track path for the next generation of plumbers, HVAC techs, and electricians in the greater Philadelphia area.
What Is Summers & Zim's University?
It’s our in-house trade training program — and it’s built for people who are serious about the trades.
Since 1930, Summers & Zim’s has been the name homeowners in this region trust. The Summers & Zim’s apprenticeship program exists because we believe the best way to keep that standard alive is to grow it from within. We invest in our apprentices because that investment comes back to every customer we serve.
This is where inquisitive learners become technicians — and technicians become the kind of pros that customers ask for by name.
Three Paths. One Standard.
We train apprentices in three disciplines:
Plumbing · HVAC · Electrical
Every path is built around the same foundation: real skills, real mentorship, and real credentials. You’ll work toward industry certifications and licenses — and we’ll put you through the schooling to get there.
How Training Works
This isn’t a once-a-week thing. Our apprentices train constantly, in multiple formats:
- In the Classroom. Multiple classroom sessions per week, led by experienced Summers & Zim’s technicians covering theory, code, safety, and systems.
- Out in the Field. You’ll ride along with senior techs on real service calls. Not watching from the corner — actually learning how a pro moves through a job, talks to a customer, and solves a problem under pressure.
- Off-Site at Industry Schools. We send our apprentices to some of the best trade training programs in the region, including:
- TotalTech. Hands-on HVAC, plumbing, and electrical on-site training
- PPATEC. Oil heat and combustion systems
- PSA/PHCC. Plumbing and HVAC industry training through the Pennsylvania chapter
- Online Between Jobs. Learning doesn’t stop when the workday does. Our apprentices have access to leading online trade platforms including Skillcat, Electrician U, and TAIA School — so you can build knowledge on your own time, at your own pace.
- Evenings When It Counts. Some of our most important training happens after hours. We make it work because getting it right matters more than keeping it convenient.
We Put You Through School
Certifications and licenses aren’t optional in this industry — they’re the baseline. We cover the cost and the time to get you there. When you complete the program, you walk away with credentials that follow you for the rest of your career.
What We're Looking For
No experience required. Just the right stuff:
- Show up on time, every time
- Be hungry to learn
- Take pride in your work
- Be the kind of teammate people can count on
If that sounds like you, we want to hear from you.
Why Summers & Zim's?
We’ve been in this community for over 96 years. Our technicians aren’t just employees; they’re neighbors, craftspeople, and the reason customers call us back year after year.
When you join our university program, you’re not starting from the bottom. You’re building from a foundation that’s been solid since 1930.