BLOOMINGDALE — The auto collision technology program at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School has gained a 2025 General Motors Benchmark Award to better equip today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce.

The $5,000 grant comes from the Collision Repair Education Foundation and was announced at the SEMA trade show in Las Vegas in November. GM provided a total of $40,000 to eight collision schools and the funding is part of CREF’s record donation of $726,000 in 2025 Benchmark Awards, which offers financial support to 104 related schools nationwide and helps instructors and programs financially while supporting efforts to prepare students for successful careers.

Program instructor Russell Achhammer said he applied in June and it was his first effort to obtain the grant award.

“CREF is an organization that helps further education for the industry,” Achhammer added. “Every year they have Benchmark Awards and we applied for $5,000. It will be used for advanced primer technology.”

The auto collision tech program focuses on equipping students with essential occupational, academic and employability skills for a career in the automotive industry, while the grant will be used to purchase new equipment and resources for the program to further improve their training. Achhammer said he received the award in November and it will help secure modern tools and supplies such as infrared drying lights.

“It introduces them to the latest and greatest technology,” he added.

He plans to acquire the high-tech tools this school year and said it will benefit his 14 juniors and seniors by meeting the goals of the JVS, which are to empower high school students and adult learners with hands-on skills, practical knowledge, and certifications so they achieve successful outcomes.