Gov. Brad Little told business leaders Wednesday that their collaboration with higher education institutions will be “critical” to ensuring Idaho Launch eases workforce shortages.

The Republican second-term governor headlined a sold-out event at The Grove Hotel hosted by the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce. In a roughly 30-minute speech, Little cycled through his greatest hits on education — touting Launch, teacher raises and school facilities funding.

Launch provides high school seniors up to $8,000 toward a college degree or job training. The budding program is helping students go to college, when they wouldn’t have the opportunity otherwise, Little said. That’s going to help solve workforce needs, but in the meantime, higher education institutions like Boise State University and the College of Western Idaho need help getting students hands-on experience, particularly in the health care sector.

“To go from where we are in skilled workforce to where we want to be, we’re going to have to have the help of businesses,” Little said. “They’re going to have to have slots in your hospitals where those students can get exposure.”

Little also lauded recent state investments in teacher salaries and school facilities. The $1.5 billion investment in facilities, approved by this year’s Legislature, “is long-term property tax relief,” Little said.

State leaders will continue to prioritize tax relief and cutting state regulations on businesses, Little said. And he assured the chamber members that the state is in a strong fiscal position despite rising inflation in recent years and a cooling U.S. economy.

“We want to make decisions through the lens that our children, when they graduate high school or college, will choose to stay here,” said Little, repeating his favorite mantra. “We are in really good shape. It’s a great place to do business.”