The Ulster BOCES Auto Collision Technology program recently received a generous classroom enhancement grant of $12,000 from the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC), which allowed for the purchase of laptops that will be installed with mobile repair estimating software.

The Career & Technical Center’s program received 13 devices, which will be used to train students to use the online technology that provides workers in the industry with a detailed blueprint of needed repairs. The mobile diagnostic stations and CCC One estimating software can be brought to the vehicle, allowing students to learn how to write faster estimates, connect to parts needed for repairs, and provide access to pricing and availability. The mobile platforms also demonstrate to the students how repair shop employees can access repair orders and update information in real time.

This is the tenth donation from the CREF. In January, CREF donated a substantial amount of 3M goods, including tire covers, sanding discs, and sandpaper. In years past, the foundation provided a skid loaded with similar items and has offered additional grants worth $1,000 (in 2017) and $5,000 (in 2014).

Auto Collision teacher Dave Rosenberg says that support from industry suppliers is invaluable in educating the next generation of professional body repair technicians. “Our students were blown away, and the shop was filled with smiles. One student mentioned how motivating he finds it to know that industry companies believe in the students enough to donate and invest in our program,” Rosenberg said.

Learn more about the Ulster BOCES Auto Collision Technology program here.