Welcome to SkillsLink Academy! I’m Jonathan James Vukani Wigley, the founder and Lead Instructional Designer here at SkillsLink. My journey began in Kosi Bay, Northern KZN, where I was born at Manguzi Hospital. Growing up in a tropical paradise and later on an organic farm in the Eastern Cape, I developed a deep love for nature and people. This shaped my desire to address some of the pressing challenges our world faces, challenges that stem from the dominant Western capitalist system, which thrives on greed, competition, and exploitation.
After earning my Diploma in Nature Conservation in 1997 and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Education (cum laude) in 2006, I spent years working internationally in environmental NGOs and universities. However, I became increasingly disillusioned with how many of these organizations continued to perpetuate the very systems they aimed to change. The rise of green imperialism and mainstream environmental narratives, like anthropogenic climate change, became areas of skepticism for me, as my focus shifted more towards social and economic justice.
In 2012, I established SkillsLink Academy as a way to make an honest living while creating opportunities for learners, associates, and ETD practitioners to thrive. At SkillsLink, our mission is simple: we provide affordable, high-quality, accreditation-ready courses designed to meet market demand. But beyond that, our courses are built to inspire critical thinking, creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship. We want to empower our learners to challenge the exploitative systems they encounter and flourish in a new economic paradigm—one built on collaboration over competition, community over individualism, and justice over control.
Our e-learning platform also provides instructional designers and subject matter experts the opportunity to contribute to course development while earning income. We combine theoretical e-learning with hands-on practical experience, connecting learners with practical venues and workplaces to ensure they gain essential skills.
I’ve had the privilege of leading the development of accreditation-ready materials and online courses that are both engaging and effective, and SkillsLink continues to grow as a leader in instructional design. I’m proud of the recognition we’ve received, including the Best Product or Service Overview Video for our Eco Ranger Skills Programme.
If you’re interested in being a part of SkillsLink, I invite you to explore our Associate/Affiliate Link in the main menu to discover how you can get involved. Whether you’re a learner or a fellow ETD Practitioner, I look forward to engaging with you as we work together to create opportunities and build a more just, sustainable future.
Warm regards,
Jonathan Wigley
