Caxton & CTP Apprenticeship Programme 2027

For matriculants who enjoy technical, hands-on work, the transition from school into a skilled career does not always have to begin at university. Caxton & CTP is opening another route into the workplace, giving recent school leavers an opportunity to spend three years developing practical skills in South Africa’s printing and packaging industry.

CTP Cartons & Labels, a packaging manufacturer, is inviting applications for its Printing Apprenticeship Programme, with successful candidates expected to begin training in January 2027.

The company is specifically looking for technically orientated young people who are prepared to start at entry level, learn the trade and work their way up.

Caxton & CTP Apprenticeship Programme 2027: Quick Overview

Company: CTP Cartons & Labels
Programme: Printing Apprenticeship Programme
Duration: 36 months
Starting date: January 2027
Who can apply: Recent school leavers / matriculants
Qualification: Matric or relevant N3 Technical Certificate
Experience: No previous work experience specified
Shift work: Required
Closing date: Not specified in the information provided

What Is the Caxton & CTP Apprenticeship Programme?

The apprenticeship is a 36-month training programme aimed at developing candidates towards becoming qualified tradespeople.

Rather than requiring applicants to already have extensive workplace experience, the opportunity is targeted at recent school leavers who demonstrate an interest in technical work.

Successful apprentices will gain practical industry experience while undergoing training within the printing and packaging environment.

The programme starts in January 2027.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be matriculants and should have completed relevant technical or science-related subjects at school.

The minimum requirements include:

• Matric
• Mathematics
• Physical Science and/or a Technical subject
• Willingness to work shifts
• Full colour vision
• Technical aptitude
• Willingness to learn and develop within the trade

Candidates with an N3 Technical Certificate may also submit this qualification as part of their application.

Full Colour Vision Is an Important Requirement

One requirement candidates should pay particular attention to is full colour vision.

Applicants must be able to recognise and see colour correctly because this is a requirement of the printing trade.

Candidates interested in applying should therefore take this requirement seriously, as shortlisted applicants will also undergo medical screening during the selection process.

Do You Need Previous Work Experience?

The advert does not specify previous employment experience as a requirement.

Instead, CTP Cartons & Labels is looking for recent school leavers who are technically orientated and prepared to start at the bottom while developing their skills.

This could make the apprenticeship particularly relevant to matriculants who have the required school subjects but have struggled to find an opportunity to gain their first meaningful workplace experience.

How Long Does the Apprenticeship Take?

Successful candidates will complete 36 months of apprenticeship training.

That means apprentices will spend approximately three years developing practical experience and receiving industry-recognised training.

The programme is intended to help participants develop towards becoming qualified tradespeople rather than providing only short-term workplace exposure.

When Does Training Start?

The programme is scheduled to start in:

January 2027

Candidates applying during 2026 should therefore be prepared to begin the apprenticeship at the start of 2027 if selected.

Documents You Need to Apply

Applicants are instructed to attach either their:

• Matric certificate, or
• N3 Technical certificate

If you’re applying with Matric, make sure your certificate clearly reflects the relevant subjects required for the programme.

Candidates should submit complete documentation when applying rather than waiting to be asked for missing certificates later in the recruitment process.

Shortlisted Candidates Will Undergo Screening

Being shortlisted does not automatically guarantee placement in the programme.

Candidates who progress through the recruitment process will be required to successfully complete:

• Medical screening
• Criminal screening

The medical assessment is particularly relevant because full colour vision is a requirement of the trade.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This apprenticeship may be worth considering if you recently completed Matric and:

• Enjoy technical and practical work
• Took Mathematics, Physical Science or technical subjects
• Want to learn a recognised trade
• Are comfortable working shifts
• Have full colour vision
• Are willing to start at entry level
• Want practical workplace experience rather than purely classroom-based learning
• Can commit to a three-year training programme

Why This Apprenticeship Stands Out

Many young people leave school knowing they want a technical career but aren’t necessarily interested in following a traditional university route.

An apprenticeship provides a different pathway.

Instead of spending several years studying before gaining workplace exposure, apprentices develop their knowledge while gaining practical experience in an actual industry environment.

For technically minded matriculants, the Caxton & CTP programme provides exposure to the specialised world of commercial printing and packaging manufacturing  an industry that requires technical precision, machinery knowledge and strong attention to detail.

How to Apply for the Caxton & CTP Apprenticeship Programme

Interested candidates should submit their applications through the application method provided in the official CTP Cartons & Labels vacancy advertisement.

Remember to attach your:

Matric Certificate or N3 Technical Certificate

Candidates should not submit incomplete applications.

A closing date was not included in the information provided, so applicants interested in the opportunity should consider applying as soon as possible rather than assuming applications will remain open for an extended period.

Before You Apply

Check these four things before submitting your application:

1. You have Matric or the relevant N3 Technical qualification.
2. Your school subjects meet the apprenticeship requirements.
3. You have full colour vision and are willing to undergo medical screening.
4. You are prepared to work shifts and commit to the full 36-month programme beginning in January 2027.

For a recent matriculant with an interest in technical work, this could be an opportunity to turn school-level Mathematics, Science or technical subjects into the beginning of a practical trade career.

For young South Africans interested in building a technical career straight after school, apprenticeships can provide something that classroom learning alone cannot: structured training combined with real workplace experience. Caxton & CTP is offering recent school leavers an opportunity to enter the printing and packaging industry through a three-year apprenticeship programme scheduled to begin in January 2027.

CTP Cartons & Labels, a packaging manufacturer within the Caxton & CTP group, is inviting applications from technically minded candidates who are prepared to learn the trade from the ground up.

Caxton & CTP Apprenticeship Programme Overview

Successful applicants will enter a 36-month apprenticeship programme designed to provide practical workplace experience and industry-recognised training.

The programme is expected to start in January 2027.

This opportunity could particularly suit matriculants who completed Mathematics, Physical Science or technical subjects at school and are looking for an alternative pathway into a skilled technical career.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants should be recent school leavers who are technically orientated and willing to develop their skills through structured workplace training.

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Matric with Mathematics, Physical Science and/or a Technical subject
• Alternatively, applicants may submit an N3 Technical Certificate
• Willingness to work shifts
• Full colour vision
• Ability to recognise and distinguish colours
• Willingness to start at entry level and develop within the trade

Full colour vision is particularly important because it is a requirement of the printing trade.

What Documents Are Required?

Applicants should make sure their application includes a copy of their:

• Matric certificate; or
• N3 Technical certificate

Candidates should check that their documentation is complete before submitting an application.

Selection Process

Shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo additional screening before being accepted into the programme.

This includes:

• Medical screening
• Criminal screening

Candidates therefore need to satisfy both the academic and occupational requirements of the apprenticeship.

How Long Is the Apprenticeship?

The Caxton & CTP apprenticeship runs for 36 months (three years).

During this period, apprentices will receive practical exposure and structured training intended to develop the skills required to progress towards becoming qualified tradespeople within the printing and packaging environment.

When Does the Programme Start?

The apprenticeship is scheduled to begin in:

January 2027

Although the intake begins in 2027, applications are being recruited as part of the 2026 apprenticeship intake process, giving successful candidates time to complete the required selection and screening procedures.

Why This Opportunity Is Worth Considering

For matriculants who enjoy technical and practical work, this programme offers a route into an established manufacturing industry without requiring applicants to already have years of work experience.

The combination of a three-year training period, practical workplace exposure and recognised trade developmentmakes the programme particularly relevant for school leavers who want to build a long-term technical career rather than simply find short-term employment.

How to Apply for the Caxton & CTP Apprenticeship

Interested candidates should apply through the application method provided in the official vacancy advertisement.

Before applying, make sure you have your Matric certificate or N3 Technical certificate ready to attach to your application.

Applicants should also remember that shortlisted candidates will need to successfully complete the required medical and criminal screening. Apply Now

Closing Date: 13 September 2026

Disclaimer

CareersPursuit shares publicly available opportunities for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the companies or organisations mentioned unless explicitly stated otherwise. Do not send your personal information, CV, or applications directly to CareersPursuit. Always verify opportunity details through official channels before applying.