Helping People Build the Capacity to Succeed
I’m Jacques de Villiers, an educator, facilitator, learning designer and capacity-building practitioner with more than three decades of experience in education, training and organisational development.
Throughout my career, one idea has remained constant: people perform better when they understand what is expected of them, develop the capabilities they need and are given practical opportunities to apply what they learn.
That belief sits at the heart of The Growth Group and the programmes we develop for learners, young people and organisations.
Why The Growth Group?
The Growth Group exists to help people become more capable — whether that means helping a learner study more effectively, preparing a young person for the realities of work, or helping an organisation develop the capabilities its people need to perform.
Our work spans different audiences, but the underlying principle is the same: practical learning should lead to greater capability, greater independence and better performance.
Helping learners develop the skills, habits and confidence to become more effective and independent students.
Helping young people understand the realities of work, build their market value and prepare for a changing economic future.
Helping organisations identify capability needs and develop practical learning solutions that improve performance.
Experience Across Learning and Development
My work has crossed the boundaries between education, vocational training, learning design, facilitation and organisational development. That combination has shaped an approach that connects learning with what people actually need to do in the real world.
Education & Teaching
Experience in post-school education, learner development, study skills and the design of practical learning experiences.
Learning Design
Design and development of programmes, curricula, workbooks, learning resources and structured development journeys.
Workplace Development
Experience working with employers, training organisations and industry partners to connect development with workplace capability.
Facilitation & Capacity Building
Practical facilitation across learner, youth and adult audiences, with an emphasis on participation, application and measurable development.
Professional Background
- BA Hons: Human Resources Management – Rand Afrikaans University
- B.Tech: Post-School Education — Technikon Pretoria
- Certificate in Management Services — Technikon Pretoria
- More than 30 years’ experience education, training, facilitation and capacity development
- Author and developer of educational and vocational learning resources
- Founder of The Growth Group
- Creator of the LearnWithJacques YouTube channel, providing free educational and skills-development content
What I Believe About Learning
Learning should be practical. It should help people understand more, do more and ultimately take greater responsibility for their own success.
That’s why I favour learning that involves questions, activities, decisions, reflection and real-world application rather than simply transferring information from facilitator to participant.
Learning matters when it changes what people can do.
Not sure where to start? Tell us what you’re trying to achieve and we’ll help you identify the right next step.
