Government Printing Works Internships: A Guide for Aspiring Graduates
The Government Printing Works (GPW) is offering a significant opportunity for unemployed South African graduates to gain valuable experience through its Graduate Internship Programme. This 24-month program is designed to provide practical workplace exposure relevant to various fields of study. With 45 positions available across different departments, aspiring graduates have a chance to kickstart their careers. This guide will break down the available opportunities, requirements, and how to apply for these sought-after internships.
Understanding the GPW Graduate Internship Programme
The Government Printing Works aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice with its Graduate Internship Programme. This initiative is specifically for unemployed South African citizens who have not previously participated in an internship. The program spans 24 months, offering a structured learning environment under the guidance of experienced professionals. Successful interns will receive a monthly stipend of R8 174.75, making it a financially supported stepping stone into the working world. The internships are located in Pretoria, Gauteng, with some opportunities in East London, Eastern Cape.
Available Internship Opportunities and Qualifications
The GPW has a diverse range of internship roles, each requiring specific qualifications. These roles cover a broad spectrum of disciplines, ensuring that graduates from various academic backgrounds can find a suitable placement.
Strategic Sourcing and Contract Management
For those with a background in supply chain and logistics, the Strategic Sourcing and Contract Management internships are ideal. Both roles require a degree in Supply Chain Management or Logistics Management. The Strategic Sourcing positions (Ref No. GPW2026/01) have two openings, while Contract Management (Ref No. GPW2026/02) also offers two posts.
Financial Services and Asset Management
Graduates with a focus on finance and accounting can apply for the Financial Services internship. This role requires a National Diploma or Degree in Financial Accounting and has four available posts (Ref No. GPW2026/03). Additionally, the Asset and Inventory Management internship (Ref No. GPW2026/04) seeks candidates with qualifications in Supply Chain Management, Logistics Management, or Accounting Management, with one position available.
Facilities and Legal Internships
Opportunities also exist in facilities and legal departments. The Facilities Management internship (Ref No. GPW2026/05) requires a qualification in Public Administration, Public Management, or a related facilities field, with two posts open. For those with a legal background, the Contracts and Litigation internship (Ref No. GPW2026/06) is available, requiring an LLB or Paralegal qualification, with one position to fill.
Risk, Audit, and Management Support
Aspiring professionals in risk management and auditing can consider the Enterprise Risk Management internship (Ref No. GPW2026/07) and the Internal Audit internship (Ref No. GPW2026/08). The former requires a background in Risk Management, Law, Business Management, Finance, or Commerce, while the latter needs a qualification in Internal Auditing or Accounting Science. Both have one post each.
Support roles are also available within the executive offices. The Office of the CEO internship (Ref No. GPW2026/09) requires Public Management, Public Administration, Office Management, or Business Management qualifications. The Office of the GM: Corporate Services (Ref No. GPW2026/10) seeks candidates with Office Management and Technology skills. The Office of the GM: Operations (Ref No. GPW2026/11) requires Public Management, Public Administration, Office Management and Technology, or Operations Management. Each of these roles has one available post.
Communications and Customer Service
For graduates interested in public relations and customer engagement, the Communications internship (Ref No. GPW2026/12) is an excellent choice, requiring a qualification in Communication, Marketing, or Media Studies. The E-Gazette Contact Centre internship (Ref No. GPW2026/13) is looking for candidates with a Contact Centre Management or related qualification. Both roles have one position available.
Operations and Sales
The operations and sales departments offer several internship opportunities. Demand Planning (Ref No. GPW2026/14) requires a Logistics or Supply Chain Management qualification. Operations Planning (Ref No. GPW2026/15) seeks candidates with Operations Management, Production, or Project Management experience. The Sales – Regional Warehouse East London internship (Ref No. GPW2026/16) has two posts and requires qualifications in Operations Management, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Management, or Public Administration.
Technology and Engineering
The GPW is also looking for talent in technology and engineering fields. The Digitalization internship (Ref No. GPW2027/17) requires a background in IT, Software Programming, Computer Systems, Engineering, Printing, or Technology Management. Technical Technology Support: Quality, Health and Safety (Ref No. GPW2026/18) needs a qualification in Quality Management, Operations Management, Engineering, or Printing. Technical Technology Support: Technology Planning (Ref No. GPW2026/19) is for those with Industrial or Chemical Engineering backgrounds. Each of these roles has one available post.
Specialized Production and Security
Specialized roles include Rubber Stamps (Ref No. GPW2026/20), requiring Graphic Design or Desktop Publishing skills. Security Management (Ref No. GPW2026/21) is for candidates with Security Management qualifications. Integrity Management and Investigations (Ref No. GPW2026/22) seeks individuals with experience in Investigation, Policing, Law, or Social Sciences. Each of these positions has one opening.
Planning, Knowledge Management, and Manufacturing
Further planning and management roles include Strategy Planning and Monitoring (Ref No. GPW2026/23), with two posts requiring Public Administration, Public Management, or Business Management qualifications. The Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (Ref No. GPW2026/24) needs ICT or Project Management skills, with one post. Knowledge Management (Ref No. GPW2026/25) requires a background in Information Science, Information Management, or Records Management, with one position available.
In manufacturing, the ID and Passport Factory internship (Ref No. GPW2026/26) is looking for Industrial Engineering or Mechatronic Engineering graduates. Paper Stores Central (Ref No. GPW2026/27) requires Supply Chain Management or Logistics Management qualifications. Both have one post each.
Maintenance and Engineering
The GPW also offers internships in maintenance and engineering. Equipment Maintenance (Ref No. GPW2026/28) requires Industrial or Mechanical Engineering qualifications. Service Maintenance (Ref No. GPW2026/29) is for those with Electrical Engineering – Heavy Current backgrounds. Each of these roles has one available position.
Human Resources and Employee Wellness
The Human Resources department has several internship opportunities. Employee Benefits and Administration (Ref No. GPW2026/30) requires Human Resources Management or Public Administration qualifications. Talent Management (Ref No. GPW2026/31) and Performance Management & Development System (Ref No. GPW2026/32) both seek candidates with Human Resource Development, Management of Training, or Human Resources Management qualifications. Organisational Development and Change Management (Ref No. GPW2026/33) requires a work-study background in Operations Management, Management Services, Production Management, or Industrial Psychology. Recruitment and Selection (Ref No. GPW2026/34) needs Human Resource Management qualifications. Labour Relations (Ref No. GPW2026/35) requires Labour Relations or Labour Law expertise. Finally, Employee Health and Wellness (Ref No. GPW2026/36) is for Social Work or Psychology graduates. Occupational Health and Safety (Ref No. GPW2026/37) requires Safety Management or an OHS-related qualification. Most of these HR-related roles have one post each.
Application Requirements and Documents
To be eligible for the Government Printing Works Graduate Internship Programme, applicants must meet several criteria. They must be unemployed South African citizens and possess the specific qualification required for the internship they are applying for. Crucially, applicants must not have participated in any previous internship program. If you have foreign qualifications, you will need to obtain an evaluation from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
The application process requires specific documents. You must submit a completed and signed new Z83 Application Form along with a copy of your CV. Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide certified copies of their qualifications and other supporting documents at a later stage. For email applications, ensure that only the Z83 form and CV are attached, and the total attachment size does not exceed 2MB. Files like pictures, ZIP files, IMG, and JPEG documents are not accepted.
How to Apply for the Internships
Applying for these internships can be done either online, via email, or by hand delivery. Each internship has a specific application link, often referenced by a code like Grad2601 to Grad2637, depending on the position. It is essential to submit a separate Z83 application for each internship position you wish to apply for, clearly stating the correct internship title and reference number.
For email applications, use the designated application link for the specific internship. The subject line of your email must include the correct job title and reference number. Remember to attach only the completed Z83 form and CV, keeping the total email size under 2MB.
Hand-delivered applications can be submitted to the Government Printing Works at 389 Sophie De Bruyn Street, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. Applications sent via fax will not be considered.
Important Application Dates and Enquiries
The closing date for hand-delivered applications is 19 October 2026 at 16:00, while online applications have until 23:59 on the same date. It is vital to submit your application before these deadlines, as late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
For any enquiries regarding the internships, you can contact Mr K. Molaba or Ms M. Molebale in Human Resources Development at (012) 764 3931 or (012) 748 6294.
Final Considerations for Applicants
Remember that a separate Z83 application must be submitted for every position you apply for. Using the old Z83 form will result in your application being disqualified. If you do not receive a response within three months after the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. Successful candidates will undergo personnel suitability checks as part of the recruitment process.
Conclusion
The Government Printing Works Graduate Internship Programme presents a valuable opportunity for unemployed graduates to gain practical experience and develop their professional skills. With a wide array of positions available across various departments, there is a good chance for many to find a role that aligns with their qualifications and career aspirations. By carefully reviewing the requirements, preparing the necessary documents, and adhering to the application deadlines, aspiring graduates can take a significant step towards a successful career.
