Tour of the trucking training simulator in Kirkwood

Kirkwood N.Y. ( WIVT/WGBH ) — The New York State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon and State Senator Lea Webb took part in an event at Doron Precision Systems in Kirkwood to watch, learn, and test drive the 550Truckplus simulator.

The simulators were designed to help student drivers practice driving a tractor trailer without risking the safety of those who weren’t prepared for the road. Doron Precision Systems says truck driving jobs are in high demand, which is why they are offering these test drives, to help garner interest in the job field.

Commissioner Reardon says this is a great way to build interest in the industry while keeping safety a priority.

“This is the safest way to train anybody to do this work. You don’t have to put somebody behind the wheel of a big truck and risk danger, damage, death. They can really learn in the simulator. Try it out and see if its for you, because if it is you can get that training and have a great career right here in New York State, and they’re manufactured here in Binghamton.” Reardon says.

Alongside the trucking simulations Doron also has special systems for snow plows, airport vehicles, the army and even a program to test your reaction time while braking.

Reardon says the company employs roughly 50 people, including technicians and engineers. She also says each simulator is built by hand. She hopes training events like these will attract more New York residents into the industry.

“These are great careers, people think about trucking and its a long haul you go, you know from here to Ohio and back and that’s true, but most of the jobs in New York State are really Point to Point. so you often can drive a truck, do those deliveries, and sleep in your own bed at night.” Reardon says.

The commissioner says there are other training sites in Utica and Albany, plus a mobile truck that travels the state.

Doron Precision Systems is celebrating their 50th anniversary and will strive to inspire the trucking industry for years to come.

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