If you have Matric and passed Maths or Maths Literacy with 50% or more, the SA Litho apprenticeship in Parow deserves your attention right now. The vacancy was posted on 12 October 2026 and no closing date is listed. In our experience, opportunities without deadlines do not stay open forever. Checking your details today could put you ahead of hundreds of other applicants.
This is not a short work placement. It is a full apprenticeship in the printing industry, based at SA Litho’s factory in Parow, Western Cape. Many young people are searching for trade training, so places are likely to be competitive. That is why it helps to understand every requirement before you start.
What is the SA Litho apprenticeship?
SA Litho is offering training in three printing trades. The contract runs for approximately 36 months. You will learn in the classroom and get hands-on experience inside a working factory.
The listing covers these fields:
- Sheetfed Lithography.
- Electronic Origination.
- Flexography / Roll Label Machine Minding.
The role is entry level and falls under printing and manufacturing. The advert speaks to young talent, but it does not set a numerical age limit. Use the published requirements to decide if you qualify, rather than assuming a standard youth age range applies.
Who can apply?
Start with your Matric certificate and results. A Matric pass alone is not enough. SA Litho lists these entry conditions:
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have completed Matric within the past five years.
- You need at least 50% in Maths or Maths Literacy.
- You must have full colour vision.
- You must be available for shift work.
- You must pay attention to detail and work accurately.
Many applicants ask if Maths Literacy counts. Yes, it does. The advert accepts either subject, as long as your mark is 50% or higher.
Check your Matric completion date and your subject mark separately. A strong Maths result does not replace the five-year rule. The advert does not give an exact cut-off date for the window, so look honestly at when you finished Matric. If your Matric is older than five years, you do not meet that condition as written, and no exception is stated.
Colour vision is another common stumbling block. The advert clearly states that applicants with colour blindness cannot be considered. Printing work depends on accurate colour, which is why this rule exists.
You do not need a technical qualification. The advert describes a technical foundation as helpful, not compulsory. Your Matric results and the other conditions are what count.
What do you gain from this apprenticeship?
Three years of structured training is the biggest benefit. You will build skills in a specialised trade that many people never get the chance to learn. Factory experience also teaches discipline, teamwork and accuracy — qualities employers value in any industry.
Be realistic about what comes after. The listing describes a training contract of approximately 36 months. It does not promise a permanent job once the apprenticeship ends. If you reach the interview stage, ask about career progression so you can plan ahead.
The advert also does not state a stipend, salary or starting date. Avoid budgeting around amounts quoted on other websites. Ask the employer to clarify payment and any training costs before you accept an offer.
How do you apply?
Go to the official SA Litho vacancy page and select Apply. The button leads to the employer’s Simplify portal. You can also start the SA Litho application here.
Follow these steps:
- Confirm your Matric completion date and your Maths or Maths Literacy mark.
- Prepare an updated CV and a clear copy of your Matric results.
- Open the official application portal.
- Fill in the required fields and upload your documents.
- Check every detail before you submit.
- Save the confirmation the portal gives you.
The advert does not provide a fixed document checklist. The CV and results advice above is practical guidance. Always follow the portal’s actual upload instructions and only add extra documents when the portal asks for them.
If the application asks for your preferred trade, use the exact trade name from the advert. Explain why that field interests you. A specific answer sounds far stronger than a general request for “any job”.
Tips to improve your chances
Many applicants we speak to worry that they lack experience. You do not need printing experience to apply. Use real examples of accuracy, teamwork or practical tasks from school projects and responsibilities. Never claim experience you have not gained — the checks will expose it.
Think about shift work before you apply, not after. The factory is in Parow, Western Cape. Ask yourself how you would travel there for early mornings, evenings or weekends. If you depend on daytime public transport, work out your options and travel costs first.
Shortlisted applicants will undergo medical and criminal checks. The advert does not ask you to arrange or pay for these yourself. Wait for the employer’s instructions and ignore anyone who demands money for a “guaranteed” placement.
Finally, do not delay. An unstated closing date does not mean the vacancy stays open indefinitely. Submit an accurate application as soon as you are ready. Our Helpful Guides can also support you while you prepare.
Take your next step today
Check your Matric date, your subject mark, your colour vision and your shift availability first. Then prepare your CV and apply through the official portal. These simple checks will save you time and protect you from building an application on the wrong assumptions.
This apprenticeship could be the start of a real trade career. If you meet the requirements, gather your documents and apply. And if this one does not work out, keep going — compare other trade training options by browsing our latest apprenticeships in South Africa. Your effort today can open doors tomorrow.