Partnership with local company showcases STC students nationwide

This paid piece is sponsored by Southeast Technical College.

When CCC Intelligent Solutions conducts sales and service calls for its software, the business shows off some of the work done by collision repair and refinish students at Southeast Technical College.

Through a two-year partnership, Neal Bobzin with CCC Intelligent Solutions purchased a 1984 Chevy pickup that STC students are bringing back to life with modern technology.

When complete, the company will use the truck as a towing vehicle to pull a demonstration vehicle to collision repair shops across the county. While learning more about what the estimating software CCC One can offer their shops, managers, owners and technicians will see the quality of work done in the STC collision program.

“Our students are doing a phenomenal job on this vehicle,” instructor Dana Davis said. “So far, they have replaced the bed sides and added a bed liner on the inside. This year, students will be working on a new hood, fenders and cab quarters and repainting the whole vehicle.”

Since the partnership began during the 2022-23 academic year, second-year students have been able to work on the truck during both their years at STC.

An added benefit to the partnership puts CCC One software – considered the gold standard in industry – in the hands of students, adding meaningful experience to their hands-on education.

“This partnership also allows us to enhance learning opportunities in the classroom with upgraded estimating software,” Davis said. “Not only can our students get a real-life look into industry by writing estimates, the software allows them to take things one step further and order parts, process change orders and monitor repair workflow – just like they will be doing in industry.”

Bobzin, an adviser of ELEVATE Services at CCC Intelligent Solutions, said there are more than 350 insurers, and more than 90 percent of them use CCC One as their estimating solution in their shops.

“The education provided through the software gives graduating students an advantage in the workforce,” Bobzin said. “We want these students to be successful, and exposing them to technology in the industry early on can be crucial to success.”

Bobzin also noted the quality of the work performed by STC students.

“I have been extremely impressed with the work completed on this project,” Bobzin said. “The attention to detail with clean gaps and straight body panels shows quality workmanship. It will be great for these students to see this truck driving around town and say they helped with that build.”

Throughout the process, “we are throwing a lot of modern technology in this project to help hook kids that otherwise may not be interested,” he continued. “It has been and will be fun working with Southeast Tech, and I look forward to finding new ways to work together.”

CCC Intelligent Solutions is based in Chicago, with additional locations in Sioux Falls, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Alabama.