BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Honda Manufacturing of Alabama is gearing up for an annual event that offers an inside look at the state’s booming automotive industry and has inspired a new generation of workers to pursue the high-tech careers it offers.
This weekend, for the third year in a row, HMA and Zoom Motorsports will present “Gear Up Your Career,” held during the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park.
The event, which brings together suppliers, staffing firms, colleges and universities, features hands-on demonstrations of the daily tasks of an Alabama autoworker. And it all happens against the backdrop of Birmingham’s premier race weekend, which drew more than 83,000 fans last year.
HMA Vice President Mike Oatridge said the growth of “Gear Up Your Career,” and the response of students, parents and others, has gone far beyond his expectations.
“The response has been overwhelming, not only for Honda, but for the two-year and four-year colleges, automotive suppliers and almost everyone involved in Alabama’s automotive network,” he said.
“There’s no question this has increased the interest of students in the automobile industry because they are now seeing – firsthand – the opening of a window of opportunity that didn’t even exist in Alabama 25 years ago. The workforce development project at Indy is a very rewarding experience, and I’m proud of Honda’s association with it.”
DISPLAYING A SUPERCAR
After the success of the first year in 2015, word got out quickly in automotive circles that this was something everybody needed to be a part of, Oatridge said. Last year, organizers stepped up the displays and demonstrations, and they’re adding even more this year.
“We’ll have bigger and better displays, along with some of the crowd favorites from last year, including a display of Honda racing vehicles built by the HMA Race Team,” he said. “We’ll also have the bearing cap install, the virtual paint booth and the virtual welding demonstration.
“We also have Honda associates who can explain what it takes to make a flawless V-6 engine and how to get steel and aluminum defect-free so that paint job is the best it can be.”
In addition, two of Honda’s most technologically advanced products are involved in this year’s event.
“We will have a display of the incredible Acura NSX supercar, the only supercar that is designed and built in the United States. And, we have Honda’s ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, which will be performing demonstrations on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Kids love ASIMO,” Oatridge said.
A ROBOT GRAND MARSHAL
“There’s no question this has increased the interest of students in the automobile industry.”
The latest version of ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovation Mobility, features enhanced hand dexterity, including the ability to sign in both American and Japanese sign language. It also recognizes human faces and is able to climb stairs, hop, jump, balance on one foot and transition seamlessly between walking and running.
ASIMO is serving as Grand Marshal and will deliver the traditional pre-race command of “Gentlemen, start your engines!” to kick off Sunday’s main event.
“We are honored to have ASIMO as our Grand Marshal,” ZOOM Motorsports President George Dennis said. “This will be the first race event that ASIMO has attended, and we are excited to make history with his appearance.”
SHOWING OFF SKILLS
Meanwhile, there are plenty of other activities to keep Indy fans busy at Barber this weekend, including wine tastings, motocross exhibitions and autograph sessions with Indy drivers.
They can also take in the sights around the park, with its lush green hills marked by eclectic sculptures, as well as the world’s largest collection of motorcycles at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
The museum, which recently completed an expansion, now covers 250,000 square feet and houses a soaring display of motorcycles collected by dairy magnate and park founder George Barber.
Oatridge said all the activity during Indy weekend made HMA officials believe their career event would be a good tie-in when they launched it two years ago.
“We tapped into something that not only fascinated people outside our industry, but it gave our Honda associates the chance to show their friends and families the wide variety of skills that are being developed in automobile production,” he said.
“People have a strong desire to know more about educational and career opportunities that are being offered within Alabama’s growing automotive network.”
