array_reverse() does not alter the source array, but returns a new array. (See array_reverse().) So you either need to store the new array first or just use function within the declaration of your for loop.
Lastly, I'm going to guess that the $j was either a counter used in an initial attempt to get a reverse walk of $skills_nav, or a way to count the $skills_nav array. If the former, it should be removed now that you have the correct solution. If the latter, it can be replaced, outside of the loop, with a $j = count($skills_nav).
I think this solution reads cleaner than fiddling with an index and you are less likely to introduce index handling mistakes, but the problem with it is that your code will likely take slightly longer to run if you have to create a temporary copy of the array first.
Fiddling with an index is likely to run faster, and it may also come in handy if you actually need to reference the index, as in:
$stack = array("orange", "banana", "apple", "raspberry");
$index = count($stack) - 1;
while($index > -1){
echo $stack[$index] ." is in position ". $index . "\n<br>";
$index--;
}
But as you can see, you have to be very careful with the index...
If you do not have Boolean false values in your array, you could use next code based on internal pointer functions:
$array = ['banana', 'apple', 'pineapple', 'lemon'];
$value = end($array);
while ($value !== false) {
// In case you need a key
$key = key($array);
// Do something you need to
echo $key . ' => ' . $value . "\n";
// Move pointer
$value = prev($array);
}
This solution works for associative arrays with arbitrary keys and do not require altering existing or creating a new one.