The Automobile Engineering Training Institute (AETI – Japan Tech) (මෝටර් රථ ඉංජිනේරු පුහුණු ආයතනය | வாகனப் பொறியியல் பயிற்சி நிறுவனம்), operating under the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) (ජාතික ආධුනිකත්ව සහ කාර්මික පුහුණු කිරීමේ අධිකාරිය | தேசிய தொழிற்பயிற்சி மற்றும் தொழில்துறை பயிற்சி அதிகாரசபை), has officially commenced applications for its nationwide Apprentice Recruitment for the Academic Year 2027. Widely recognized as Sri Lanka’s premier government automotive technological academy established with Japanese grant assistance and modernized via JICA, the institute is admitting young men and women aged 16 to 25 into seven full-time career programmes spanning Automobile Technology, Auto Electrical, CNC Machining, Auto Air Conditioning, Tinkering, Painting, and ICT. Dedicated full scholarships are provided for low-income and Aswesuma beneficiary families, and applications close on 30 September 2026.
Why This AETI Japan Tech Courses 2027
Sri Lanka’s technical vocational education sector offers no higher standard of automotive engineering training than AETI (Japan Tech) in Orugodawatta. Built in partnership with the Government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), AETI combines rigorous classroom theory with cutting-edge Japanese workshop equipment, precision diagnostics, and guaranteed on-the-job industrial apprentice placements. For school leavers holding G.C.E. O/L qualifications or Grade 8 certificates, graduating from AETI provides an internationally recognized credential that directly commands premium salaries across leading automotive franchises in Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Japan through the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and Technical Intern Training (TITP) pathways.
Closing date passed: this guide was written while applications were open, and the closing date in the notice was 30 September 2026. Check the official notice for any extension or the next call before you act (last reviewed 18 October 2026).
Key Programme Facts
| Training Institution | Automobile Engineering Training Institute (AETI / Japan Tech) මෝටර් රථ ඉංජිනේරු පුහුණු ආයතනය | வாகனப் பொறியியல் பயிற்சி நிறுவனம் |
|---|---|
| Governing Authority | National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education |
| Recruitment Cycle | Annual Apprentice Intake – Year 2027 |
| Programmes Offered |
1. Automobile Technician (3 Years – LKR 200,000) 2. Automobile Electrician (3 Years – LKR 200,000) 3. Machinist / CNC (3 Years – LKR 170,000) 4. Automobile Air Conditioning Technician (2 Years – LKR 70,000) 5. Automobile Tinker (1½ Years – LKR 30,000) 6. Automobile Painter (1½ Years – LKR 30,000) 7. ICT Technician (1 Year – LKR 40,000) |
| Age Criterion | 16 – 25 Years of age as of 01 January 2027 (Both Male & Female candidates) |
| Application Processing Fee | LKR 1,000 (Payable strictly over the counter at People’s Bank Dematagoda Branch) |
| Scholarships Available | Full tuition scholarships granted to selected low-income and Aswesuma welfare beneficiaries |
| Application Method | Prescribed Gazette Form sent via Registered Post |
| Application Closing Date | 30 September 2026 |
Official Recruitment Documents & Portal
Candidates must obtain the official Gazette notification published on 28 August 2026 and download the prescribed application form:
Eligibility Criteria & Educational Prerequisites
AETI admits candidates under distinct educational tiers based on the technical complexity of each automotive trade:
- Group A (Technician Level – Courses 1, 2, 3 & 4): Passed the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination in not more than two (02) sittings with a minimum of six (06) subjects, including Sinhala/Tamil Language, Mathematics, and Science.
- Group B (Artisan / Craft Level – Courses 5 & 6): Successfully passed Grade 8 (Year 9 under revised curriculum) in a government school or state-recognized secondary institution.
- Group C (ICT Technician – Course 7): Passed the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination in not more than two sittings with six subjects, including Sinhala/Tamil, Mathematics, and English Language.
- Special Accessibility Stream: Candidates with hearing and speech impairments are officially eligible to apply for Automobile Electrician, Auto A/C Technician, Automobile Tinker, Automobile Painter, and ICT Technician.
Eligibility Self-Assessment Decision Matrix
Identify your qualifying trade and prerequisites using the decision matrix below:
| Candidate Educational Background | Age Profile (as at 01.01.2027) | Eligible AETI Courses | Tuition Fee & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| O/L Passed (with Maths & Science) | 16 – 25 Years | Automobile Tech / Auto Electrician / Machinist / Auto A/C | Rs. 70,000 – Rs. 200,000 (2–3 Years) |
| O/L Passed (with Maths & English) | 16 – 25 Years | ICT Technician (Full-time) | Rs. 40,000 (1 Year) |
| Grade 8 Completed (Without O/L passes) | 16 – 25 Years | Automobile Tinker / Automobile Painter | Rs. 30,000 (1½ Years) |
| Aswesuma Beneficiary / Low-Income Household | 16 – 25 Years | All 7 Courses (Subject to entrance score) | Full Scholarship Available |
| Candidate Below 16 or Above 25 Years | Under 16 / Over 25 | Ineligible for Apprentice Intake | Consider Evening / Part-time Short Courses |
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
-
Remit the Non-Refundable Application Fee (LKR 1,000):
Visit any branch of People’s Bank and deposit LKR 1,000 to the designated AETI collection account:
- Account Name: Automobile Engineering Training Institute
- Bank & Branch: People’s Bank, Dematagoda Branch
- Account Number: 071100103320674
- Mandatory Directive: Write the applicant’s Full Name and National Identity Card (NIC) number clearly on the face of the deposit voucher. Do not use Cash Deposit Machines (CDM) or mobile banking apps; online and machine-generated slips are strictly rejected.
- Obtain and Complete the Official Application Form: Download and print the model application form published in the Government Gazette of 28 August 2026 or from the AETI web portal. Complete all sections in clean handwriting.
- Affix Original Bank Voucher: Paste the original customer bank deposit slip firmly in the designated box on the reverse side of the application form.
- Enclose Certified Educational Records: Attach certified photocopies (certified by a School Principal, Justice of the Peace, or Grama Niladhari) of your Birth Certificate, G.C.E. O/L Certificate / Grade 8 statement, and NIC. If requesting an Aswesuma scholarship, enclose the Grama Niladhari welfare entitlement certificate.
- Dispatch via Registered Post: Place the completed application into an envelope clearly inscribed “Recruitment of Apprentices – 2027” on the top left-hand corner, and dispatch by Registered Post to: Director / Principal, Automobile Engineering Training Institute, No. 69/A, Baseline Road, Orugodawatta on or before 30 September 2026.
Required Documents Checklist
- Duly completed and signed 2027 Apprentice Recruitment Application Form.
- Original People’s Bank counterfoil deposit slip (LKR 1,000) affixed to the form.
- Certified copy of Birth Certificate (proving age between 16 and 25 as of 01.01.2027).
- Certified copy of G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination Certificate or official school results printout.
- Certified copy of Grade 8 School Leaving Statement (for Tinkering and Painting courses).
- Certified copy of National Identity Card (NIC) or Postal Identity Card.
- Certified Grama Niladhari / Divisional Secretariat Income Certificate or Aswesuma beneficiary card (for scholarship applicants).
- Medical/Audiology assessment certificate (mandatory only for candidates applying under the hearing/speech impairment quota).
Where and How to Submit
All application packets must be dispatched exclusively via Registered Post to the central AETI campus at Orugodawatta. Hand deliveries to security gates or uncertified email submissions are strictly prohibited.
AETI Japan Tech Campus Administration:
Director / Principal, Automobile Engineering Training Institute,
No. 69/A, Baseline Road, Orugodawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Inquiries / Registrar: 011 257 2977 / 011 253 1844 / 011 224 4333
Email: info@aeti.lk | Website: aeti.naita.gov.lk
Important Dates & Academic Timeline
| Intake Stage | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Government Gazette Notification | 28 August 2026 | Gazette Part I: Section (IIA) calling applications |
| Application Closing Deadline | 30 September 2026 | Final date for applications to reach AETI by registered post |
| Competitive Written Entrance Examination | November / December 2026 | Written aptitude test conducted in Colombo (Mahanama College) |
| Practical Trade Tests & Interviews | December 2026 | Manual dexterity assessment and document scrutiny |
| Orientation & Course Commencement | January 2027 | Inauguration of 2027 full-time apprentice batch |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Are female candidates eligible to apply for AETI automotive courses?
Yes. Both male and female candidates who meet the age and educational criteria are encouraged to apply across all seven courses. In recent years, female enrollment in Auto Electrical, ICT, and Automotive Technology has grown significantly, supported by national gender inclusion policies.
2. Why are online banking and CDM machine payments strictly rejected?
AETI financial auditing rules require a physical bank pay-in slip bearing the official branch teller stamp and the depositor’s NIC number printed on the counterfoil. Machine slips (CDMs) fade over time and lack the necessary teller verification, leading to automatic rejection of the application.
3. What are the Aswesuma scholarship benefits at AETI?
Selected apprentices whose families are verified beneficiaries of the government Aswesuma social safety net program or certified low-income households are granted full tuition fee waivers, eliminating course costs for up to three years of study.
4. Does AETI provide industrial training and job placements?
Yes. Operating under NAITA, all AETI programmes incorporate mandatory industrial apprenticeships at top franchise automobile companies (e.g., Toyota Lanka, DIMO, United Motors, Micro Cars). AETI graduates also gain preferred eligibility for Japanese technical intern schemes.
Common Application Pitfalls & Troubleshooting
Critical Warnings to Prevent Disqualification:
- CDM or Mobile App Payments: Under no circumstances should you transfer funds via CDM kiosks, online banking, or mobile apps. You MUST deposit the LKR 1,000 fee over the counter at People’s Bank, Dematagoda branch account 071100103320674.
- Missing Top-Left Envelope Inscription: The words “Recruitment of Apprentices – 2027” must be clearly written on the top left corner of the envelope. Unmarked mail risks being routed to standard administrative mail rather than the examination board.
- Failing to Paste Original Voucher: A photocopy of the bank slip will NOT be accepted. The original customer slip must be pasted on the reverse of the application. Keep a photo or photocopy for your own personal records.
- Late Dispatch: Registered letters must reach Orugodawatta by 30 September 2026. Dispatch your dossier immediately to safeguard against postal delays.
Primary Official Sources & Verification
- Automobile Engineering Training Institute – Official 2027 Apprentice Announcement
- AETI Japan Tech Official Website
- National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) Official Portal
- Government Gazette Notification – Department of Government Printing
Disclaimer: BrightNook (brightnook.lk) is an independent public educational directory and career portal in Sri Lanka. This guide is compiled strictly for public informational convenience based on the Government Gazette and notices released by AETI and NAITA. Course curricula, fee structures, and intake quotas are governed exclusively by the Automobile Engineering Training Institute and NAITA. Applicants should confirm all conditions directly through the official institute portal (aeti.naita.gov.lk).
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