FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Facilities Management at the U of A has had an apprenticeship program since 1973, with more than 100 employees completing the program in the fields of carpentry, electrical, locksmithing, painting, environmental compliance, heating and air conditioning, boiler operation, plumbing, welding, and sheet metal fabrication. Currently, there are about 80 facilities workers who started their careers in the apprenticeship program.

National Apprenticeship Week runs from Nov. 13-17, and Facilities Management will add some spice to wrap up the celebration: the third annual Chili Cook-off, co-sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Plumbing School.

Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 at the Carpenter Shop in the Facilities building, at the corner of Razorback Road and Mitchell Street. Parking is available in Lot 54A, behind the former credit union building, with easy access to the back entrance to the shop.

The entire campus is invited to sample the different chili’s prepared by Facilities’ finest “chefs”. The winner of the competition gets to keep the Chili Cook-off trophy, made by the craftsmen in the carpentry shop.

A $5 donation will get you a lunch of chili and/or a hot dog, fritos, a drink, and desert. First come, first served, so come early before the food runs out. You can vote for your favorite chili, or two, with another donation. All proceeds go to the U of A United Way campaign.