The European Commission has appointed Ylva Johansson as chair of the European Skills High-Level Board.

The board will play a central role in advancing the Union of Skills, the Commission's strategy to boost Europe's competitiveness and address labour shortages through improved education, vocational training and lifelong learning.

As Chair, Johansson will steer the board's mission to strengthen people's skills and talents across the EU. With extensive experience at both European and national levels, Johansson brings strong political leadership and expertise in employment, social affairs, education and skills.

The board will have an advisory role, bringing together businesses, education and training providers and social partners to provide advice and guidance on skills development for workers in Europe. In addition, the board will contribute to the Commission's work on the identification of the bold action necessary to strengthen the EU's human capital and support a dynamic, skilled and adaptable workforce for the EU's prosperity and social cohesion. The board will build on the findings of the upcoming European Skills Intelligence Observatory, established by the Union of Skills.

Among others, it will also support the Commission's work on education and skills within the European Semester, including an EU-27 Recommendation on human capital and the country-specific recommendations.

Ylva Johansson, a Swedish national, served as Commissioner for Home Affairs from 2019 to 2024. Previously, she was Sweden's Minister for Employment and Integration and Minister for Schools, with earlier roles in the Swedish government focusing on education, health and elderly care and in the national Parliament, following a career as a mathematics and chemistry teacher.

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