Jonathan Wigley

Background

About Jonathan Wigley

Jonathan James Vukani Wigley Founder & Lead Instructional Designer | SkillsLink Academy Jonathan Wigley is a seasoned instructional designer, curriculum developer, and education visionary with over two decades of experience in occupational education and training. Born in Kosi Bay, Northern KwaZulu-Natal, and raised on an organic farm in the Eastern Cape, Jonathan's deep-rooted connection to nature and community shaped his passion for sustainable development and social justice. Jonathan holds a Diploma in Nature Conservation (1997) and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Education (Cum Laude) from Rhodes University (2006). His early career involved working with international environmental NGOs and academic institutions, where he became increasingly critical of the dominant systems of greed, exploitation, and green imperialism embedded within mainstream environmental narratives. In 2012, Jonathan founded SkillsLink Academy to provide high-quality, affordable, accreditation-ready courses that go beyond compliance—fostering critical thinking, entrepreneurship, leadership, and a commitment to justice and collaboration. SkillsLink specialises in developing occupationally directed qualifications and skills programmes aligned with QCTO and SETA standards, and under Jonathan's leadership, none have ever been rejected during the accreditation process. Since 2003, Jonathan has helped design and write the curricula for numerous SETA qualifications. He served on the Standards Generating Bodies (SGBs) for Nature Conservation, Agriculture, and Tourism Guiding, and later contributed to the Community of Expert Practitioners (CEP) responsible for developing the Occupational Certificate: Learning and Development Practitioner under the QCTO and ETDPSETA. Jonathan continues to lead the growth of SkillsLink as a platform for collaborative education, offering opportunities for associate ETD practitioners, affiliates, and learners across South Africa. His dedication to creating a more just and inclusive future remains at the heart of every project he undertakes.