The Ames Chamber of Commerce and Des Moines Area Community College came together to host a workshop to help teachers better understand the regional economy and companies’ workforce priorities. The two-day “Teaching for the Workforce” workshop was designed for teachers in Story and Boone counties. Teachers heard presentations from local businesses and had the opportunity to tour local companies. According to a news release, teachers were able to take away practical tools and strategies for implementing career awareness, exploration and workplace learning activities for their classrooms. Twenty middle and high school teachers participated in the program, held earlier this week. The class met at the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Businesses that participated included Almaco, Todd & Sargent Inc., Story County Medical Center, Burke Corp. and Alliant Energy.