Working Together on a New Beginning: Ylva Johansson chairs the European Skills High-Level Board

The European Commission Communication on the Union of Skills launched in March 2025, announced the formation of a new governance body in education and training at the EU level, the European Skills High-Level Board. After much anticipation, on 29 January, Ylva Johansson (former Commissioner for Home Affairs) was appointed as the Chair of the European Skills High-Level Board. Her mission is also set-up according to the vision of the Union of Skills.

The Lifelong Learning Platform welcomes Ylva Johansson as the new chair of this governance structure. The civil society is prepared to work together with the former Commissioner and support her in the crucial mission of identifying how to make the Union of Skills a reality across the Member States. Her experience as both Minister for Schools and Minister for Employment in Sweden embodies the new direction of the EU towards bringing together the work on social affairs and education and training, and will provide an excellent guiding light for the members of the High Level Board on Skills.

To ensure Ms Johansson and the High Level Board on Skills are successful, the education and training stakeholders need access to the Board’s work. As we wait for more information on the composition of the Board, and how members were recruited, the Lifelong Learning Platform recalls its request submitted to the Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu to ensure that the education and training stakeholders receive the mandate to join this Board. The Lifelong Learning Platform is certain that both the Executive Vice-President and Ms Johansson are committed to achieve the EU’s objective and will make sure to actively rely on education and training stakeholders directly within the European Skills High-Level Board.

In the meantime, you can see the Lifelong Learning Platform’s Statement on the Union of Skills as well as its newly Renewed Manifesto for Lifelong Learning which underlines what is needed for all learners to thrive and contribute to the EU.