Passionate About Creating Beautiful Landscapes

About Propel Training Academy

At Propel Training Academy, we believe that the future of landscaping and horticulture lies in skilled, sustainable, and accredited training. Based in KwaZulu-Natal and expanding nationally, we are dedicated to empowering individuals, businesses, and communities with practical knowledge that transforms green spaces into thriving environments.

Our academy is fully accredited by the QCTO (Accreditation Number: 05-QCTO/SDP140425181412), ensuring that every learner receives training of the highest standard. On completion of our programs, students earn nationally recognized qualifications, including the NQF Level 4 Certificate, opening doors to careers in landscaping, horticulture, and environmental management.

What sets us apart is our commitment to hands-on learning. From classroom sessions and industry-relevant notes to field trips, demonstrations, and digital platforms, we deliver training that blends theory with real-world application. Whether you’re a school leaver, a hobbyist, or a professional landscaper, our courses are designed to meet your needs and help you grow.

We are proud to partner with industry leaders like McWades Landscapes and organizations such as SANBI and SALI, ensuring our training aligns with the latest industry standards and environmental priorities. Our specialized short courses, including invasive alien plant management, address urgent conservation challenges while equipping learners with skills that make an immediate impact.

At Propel, we don’t just teach landscaping — we cultivate careers, foster sustainability, and build a greener future for South Africa.

About Your Teacher

Dr Jonathan Foley is excited to head up the training for Propel Training Academy and brings a wealth of expertise to the table. He has worked within the landscape industry in various roles for close to forty years first as a horticulturist and landscaper qualifying from Technikon Natal with a National Higher Diploma in Horticulture and then as a Senior Horticulturist with the Natal Provincial Administration developing landscapes at Edgewood College and other facilities. After commercial landscaping within the corporate and residential environment he moved his energies to education and training. As a Senior Lecturer and former Head of Horticulture Department at the Durban University of Technology for many years he initiated and developed the School of Horticulture for university learners, a third year hands-on teaching platform for experiential learning.

Collaborations included training partnerships with SANBI (South African Biodiversity Institute), the Durban Botanic Gardens, the creation of learning material for SALI (South African Landscape Institute) and the development of a new national landscaping curriculum at NQF levels 4 and 5 and learning material for SAGIC (South African Green Industry Council). Jonathan holds a doctoral degree in biodiversity and science communication from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and writes regularly for SA Landscaper. He also serves on the SALI KZN Executive committee where he has been involved in the provincial judging of the SALI awards of excellence and the rollout of training courses for contractor members. He is currently serving as National Judge for SALI. His teaching excellence has been recognised by several awards; SALI Chairman's award for Excellence (2022) SAGIC Stihl award for training excellence (2024) and Dean's Award Pillars of the University (2024) and best teacher (2014 and 2023).