European Commission appoints Ylva Johansson as chair of the European Skills High-Level Board

The European Commission has appointed Sweden's Ylva Johansson as chair of the European Skills High-Level Board, it announced on 29/01/2026.

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

Johansson, former European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Sweden's European Commissioner (2019-2024), will steer the European Skills High-Level Board’s mission to strengthen people’s skills and talents across the EU European Union .

"With extensive experience at both European and national levels, Johansson brings strong political leadership and expertise in employment, social affairs, education and skills," stated the Commission.

It specified that the Johansson 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;
• contribute to the Commission’s work on the identification of the 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;
• build on the findings of the upcoming European Skills Intelligence Observatory, established by the Union of Skills;
• support the Commission’s work on education and skills within the European Semester The European Union's annual framework to coordinate economic, fiscal, employment and social policy , including an EU-27 Recommendation on human capital and the country-specific recommendations.

Johansson also served as Minister for Schools (1994 to 1998), Minister for Health and Elderly Care (2004 to 2006) and Minister for Employment (2014 to 2019) in the Swedish government. Before entering politics, she worked as a teacher.