Shoniya Overcome Challenges to Excel in a Male-Dominated Field

Shoniya Singh set a record in Labasa on Friday as the lone Indo-Fijian female among the 101 students who graduated from the Pacific Polytech, Labasa Campus.

Ms Singh was very proud to attend the graduation ceremony at the Kshatriya Hall.

This was the first graduation from the new technical training institute in Labasa.

Students graduated with Level Three National Certificate in Automotive Electrical and Electronic, National Certificate in Automotive Mechanical Engineering, National Certificate in Carpentry, National Certificate in Electrical Fitter Mechanics and National Certificate in Plumbing and Sheet Metal.

Ms Singh of Seaqaqa, Macuata, attained a National Certificate in Electrical Fitter Mechanics.

The second of three siblings said after completing Year 12 in 2022, she didn’t return to school because she wanted to work to support her father, who their sole breadwinner was working as a digger operator in Bua.

“It wasn’t easy to do this 10-week course because I had to leave my family and reside with my uncle and aunty at Wailevu, Labasa,” Ms Singh said.

“I had to catch two buses in the morning and afternoon as my classes were held at Malau.”

The 18-year-old lass thanked her extended family for financially supporting her so that she could become an electrician and start her own business soon.

“Doing this course, which is highly recommended for male and dominated by 24 male students in my batch wasn’t difficult,” she said.

“I wanted to pursue my career in house-wiring and I am proud to have completed the course successfully.”

She believes that female can also do men’s jobs.

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