Coronavirus is dominating the news and has brought up conversation among the Ames and Story County business community. We at the Ames Chamber of Commerce wanted to provide you with some resources that may be helpful to you and your company.

Our friends at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry recently summarized helpful precautions as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control:

“The Centers for Disease Control recommends several precautions to avoid the spread of the disease. Most are part of a common standard precautionary protocol. They include frequently washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and staying home if you are ill, disinfecting common surfaces, and covering your coughs and sneezes.

Further, the CDC encourages employers to review protocols related to business travel. If business can be conducted remotely via video conference, that procedure is best. Direct staff to frequently disinfect common surfaces, make hand sanitizer available throughout facilities and offices, and direct employees to stay home when ill. Eliminate shaking hands and close greetings.”

Ames has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at just 2%. That means we have a lot of positions and we need more talent! As teachers, you can introduce your students to the countless opportunities right here at home now.

In a new section of our website, Future Ready Story County, we are serving as the connector for teachers, students, parents and business partners. What does this mean for you as a teacher?
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• Open New Doors – Work with local employers to set-up behind-the-scenes tours, jobs shadows and short-term internships for your students.
• Collaborative Projects – Give your students real-world experience by registering with the Future Ready Iowa Clearinghouse to match with projects local business need help completing. Past projects include market research, branding, design, videos and website development.
• Build Upon Your Experience – Sign up for professional development and license renewal opportunities like our Teaching for the Workforce Academy and utilize other local resources to enhance your classrooms.
• Discover Passions – Learn about the workforce landscape through the Chart Your Course section. Here students and teachers can explore the 16 different career pathways, types of careers, and the expected growth in the next five years in central Iowa.
• Adopt-a-Classroom – Put your classroom up for adoption and you’ll be matched with one company for an entire school year. Classroom adopters will have the opportunity to visit as a guest reader, lead activities that have to do with their industry, donate classroom supplies and more. This option is available for preschool through fifth grade.

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Check out AmesChamber.com/FutureReady now to explore Future Ready Story County! We look forward to connecting you with the bright young minds of tomorrow’s workforce.