Industry Awareness | Industrial Motor Ser

Industry Awareness & Workforce Development

At Industrial Motor Service Inc., we believe that a successful community is built by offering students access to career opportunities they may have never considered. Our mission is to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of skilled workers in the electric motor industry and related fields. Many students are unaware of the exciting and vital career paths available to them within this industry, and we’re here to bridge that gap through a comprehensive range of services, workshops, and hands-on opportunities.

However, we can’t do this alone. To truly meet the growing needs of industries that rely on electric motors, we need colleges, educational boards, government bodies, and businesses across the state to join in this effort. Our industry needs more robust training programs, degree paths, and partnerships that provide students with the skills they need to thrive. This is just the beginning—we're advocating for a united, collaborative approach to fill the skills gap and develop the talent needed to keep South Carolina’s industries moving forward.

Our Unique Industry Connections

In our region, we work closely with local plants and industries that rely on electric motors daily—from manufacturing and packaging to energy and infrastructure. Our extensive relationships with these companies allow us to offer students something unique—a network and knowledge they won’t find in other programs.

Yet, many local mechatronics and engineering programs only cover electric motors briefly, often in just a single class. This leaves a significant gap in awareness and skills. Our company is frequently asked by engineers, procurement teams, and sales departments from major plants to come onsite and train their employees on critical skills, such as:

Changing bearings and brushes
Diagnosing motor issues
Testing motor functionality

We are proud to offer these hands-on skills and industry knowledge to students, but we need more structured educational opportunities across the state. Colleges, technical schools, and trade programs must expand their curricula to include more specialized courses on electric motors and their crucial role in modern industries.

Our Offerings to High Schools, Colleges and Career Centers

Job Shadowing and Internships

We offer job shadowing and internship opportunities for students who are undecided about their future career path or want to explore hands-on, technical work. Whether students are interested in physical work, such as motor repair and winding, or administrative roles, we have something to offer everyone.

Workshops, Mock Interviews and Resume Building

We offer on-site workshops, mock interviews, and resume-building sessions, either at our facility or directly in classrooms. These workshops are fully customizable to the school's needs and can be tailored to any size group.

Industry-Specific Workshops

We have created several industry-specific workshops to introduce students to the electric motor industry, its history, and the essential skills needed to succeed.

Electric Motors and the Industrial Revolution

This class dives into the pivotal role electric motors played in the Industrial Revolution. Often overlooked in standard history and technology courses, electric motors were a driving force in transforming industries, enabling mass production, automation, and powering the machinery that has shaped the modern world. Students will:

Explore the history of electric motors and their impact on industry
Learn how these motors transformed manual labor into automated processes
Understand the connection between the rise of factories and modern technological advancements

What Is an Electric Motor?

Electric motors are essential to modern life, powering everything from factories and renewable energy systems to hospitals and transportation. In this program, students will learn how electric motors work, where they are used, and why they are crucial across more than 30 critical industries.

Through hands-on activities, students will even build basic motors using household materials, gaining practical insights into motor functionality. We’ll also explore the wide range of careers available in electric motor repair and manufacturing, guiding students through pathways to become mechanics, winders, machinists, or administrative professionals.

Skills for Success in the Workforce
Classes focused on soft skills, including communication, teamwork, leadership, time management, and critical thinking, which are essential for any career.

Facility Tours

We offer guided tours of our state-of-the-art facility, where students can see firsthand how motors are disassembled, repaired, tested, and reassembled. Our guided tours typically last around an hour and offer insight into the technical processes involved in electric motor repair, as well as the behind-the-scenes operations that keep our business running. Our current facility can accommodate up to twenty students along with their teachers.

Students will have the opportunity to:

Watch live demonstrations of motor repairs and rewinds
Engage with mechanics, machinists, and salespeople to ask questions
Learn about the broad range of careers available within the industry

Career Fairs

At Industrial Motor Service Inc., we believe that students should know there are rewarding career paths beyond the traditional college route. The career fair is a great opportunity for our team to show students how they can find success in a dynamic and essential industry like ours, where hands-on roles such as electric motor mechanics, winders, machinists, and even administrative and sales positions are available. With on-the-job training programs, students can jumpstart their careers with just a high school diploma or GED, entering an industry that powers over 30 critical sectors like manufacturing, renewable energy, and transportation.

book with us!

Ready to explore new opportunities? Schedule a facility tour, virtual collaboration, or hands-on workshop with Industrial Motor Service Inc. Click the link to connect with us and start building impactful partnerships today!

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Get to know us

Business Controller

Taylor Powell

When I first started working at Industrial Motor Service Inc. (IMS) in 2018, I had no idea where the journey would take me. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and after only a semester at TCTC, I dropped out of college.

I needed a job desperately and started as an office manager in 2018.

What I didn’t know at the time was how much I would come to love this industry. I didn’t see myself as someone who would be passionate about electric motors, but somewhere along the way, it clicked. I discovered that the electric motor industry isn’t just about fixing motors—it’s about keeping factories, plants, and entire industries running. And that’s something powerful.

Over time, I went back to school for accounting, and I’m now the Controller, overseeing the financial side of our company. I’m sharing my story because, like many of you, I wasn’t the typical “college student.” I wasn’t sure what my future would hold. But here I am, in an industry that needs skilled people, making a real impact every day.

I was a college drop out, working at a fast food restaurant and somehow found my passion in an electric motor shop. Click the link below to read more about my journey to finding my passion in an electric motor shop.

Owner and Shop Foreman

Doug Powell

My journey started right here at IMS when I was just 18 years old. I didn’t have a college degree, but I was eager to work and learn. I got my start as an electric motor winder after being recommended for the job by an unemployment office.

At that time, I had no idea that one day I’d own the very company I started at. But I worked my way up, learning everything I could about the business. From winder to supervisor, then to foreman, I eventually had the opportunity to buy the company. Now, as the owner of IMS, I know that what got me here wasn’t a degree—it was hard work, dedication, and the willingness to invest in myself and others.

I’m telling my story to show you that there’s more than one path to success. You don’t need to go to college to make something of yourself. In the electric motor industry, you can start right out of high school, learn valuable skills, and grow into a successful career. Our industry is crucial to keeping many businesses running, and there’s always something new to learn.

At IMS, we believe in building up our team and giving people opportunities to grow. If you’re ready to start a career where you can make a real difference, we’re ready to invest in you, just like I was invested in when I started.

Advocating for broader industry engagement

We invite students, educators, and industry professionals to learn more about our workforce development initiatives and the critical role electric motors play in the modern economy. Whether it’s through job shadowing, internships, facility tours, or specialized workshops, we offer a range of ways for students to explore careers in this essential industry.

Get to Know Us

While we are proud of what we offer, the electric motor industry needs broader support from educational institutions, industry leaders, and governmental bodies. We need more formal training programs that go beyond what a single company can provide.

Colleges should offer degree programs and certifications tailored to the specific needs of industries reliant on electric motors. This is essential for preparing students to succeed in roles that are critical to keeping manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure systems running smoothly.

Our industry is not just an option for students who enjoy hands-on work—it’s a necessity for the continued success of countless other sectors. We call on local schools, colleges, boards, and government to recognize the need for more in-depth training programs, apprenticeship models, and educational pathways in this field.

Together, we can prepare the next generation of skilled workers to step into high-demand, rewarding careers that are foundational to the economy of Upstate South Carolina and beyond.

Stay Connected and Power Your Future!

Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date with the latest opportunities, industry insights, and career tips from Industrial Motor Service Inc. Be the first to know about job openings, internships, training programs, and exclusive events. Whether you're exploring new career paths or looking to develop your skills, we’re here to guide you toward a rewarding future in electric motor repair, sales, project management, and more. Don’t miss out—sign up today and start powering your future with us!