Loraine’ s curiosity drives engineering career

Curiosity of learning more and ways to improve and upgrade has always fueled Loraine Cavalevu’s passion for Engineering work.

Growing up, she has always been curious about how roads were made while travelling in the school bus.

This curiosity was the start of her vision for a career path that she now thrives in the Engineering industry.

Now one of the female leaders in Fletcher – Higgins, managing various major projects, there is no stopping what she can achieve in the Engineering field.

She started back in 2018 as a Cadet Engineer at Fletcher – Higgins.

She is now the Maintenance Manager – Zone 3.

“I’m currently managing Zone 3 under the FRA Maintenance Contract in the Western Division. I mostly deal with maintaining and upgrading the roads (sealed and unsealed), SWCs and bridges and Crossings around my Zone under this contract,” Ms Cavalevu said.

“Under this Maintenance Contract, we have major works that involves a lot of upgrading of existing assets. Some of which are: LTA Karavi (Pavement & SWC extension works), Rip & Remake which was undertaken along the arterial roads of Ba & Tavua and upgrading concrete deck crossings at Ba (Yaloku Crossing) & Rakiraki (Narara 2 Crossing).

She said Engineering and Law was career path that she had envisioned to pursue.

“As I kid, while travelling to school in the bus, I was always curios to know about how roads are actually made and I’ve always admired road works done by the dedicated work men on a busy road ensuring a good paved road to the public.”

Ms Cavalevu completed her primary education at St Teresa Catholic School, and secondary education at Xavier College and tertiary studies at the Fiji National University.

She said the Engineering filed was always thought to be male dominant field.

“Back in my childhood days, there was hardly ladies seen working onsite or driving Utes from the town I grew up in.

“And from my point being a female is a challenge itself when joining an engineering field. It comes with a lot of different thoughts, opinions and actions around different subjects,” she said.

She said having an open and positive mindset in the engineering work environment is important as every individual differs in their own personal and professional lives.

With this year’s theme ‘Enhanced by Engineering’, Ms Cavalevu believes the present and future of Engineering field in Fiji or anywhere around the world is enacted through the present education and imparting of knowledge.

She said this attracts, improves and increases engineers.

Feedback: laiseana.nasiga@fijisun.com.fj