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Chathra Pasdunkorale

from Undergraduate Structural Engineer to Estimator
I budget and plan infrastructure projects like highways and bridge builds
Industry
Construction and infrastructure
Company
Seymour Whyte Constructions - Sponsored by Construction Pathways
Job Level
Mid

Ask me about

  • How I became an Estimator
  • How I navigate working in a male dominated industry
  • What I like most about my role

About me

Having migrated from Sri Lanka, I completed my last two years of high school in Australia before attending university to complete my Bachelor of Civil Engineering. I started my construction career as a graduate engineer on a major highway project. Here I was exposed to bulk earthworks, concrete batch plant operations, and concrete pavement construction. Since then, I have worked on a range of large-scale infrastructure projects, including bridge construction and public transport upgrades.

Over the years, I’ve progressed through roles as a Site Engineer and Project Engineer but now work as an Estimator within the Queensland Precontracts team at Seymour Whyte Constructions. This new role allows me to apply my technical knowledge to tendering while providing the opportunity to challenge ideas, designs, and construction methodologies. It enables me to contribute to innovative, more cost-effective solutions and be actively involved in shaping project outcomes from the outset.

About my role

  • Flexible
  • Independent
  • Logical
  • Practical
  • Sociable

An Estimator in the civil infrastructure industry prepares accurate and competitive cost estimates for construction works. They analyse project documentation, specifications, and drawings to identify the scope, materials, labour, plant, and subcontractor requirements for a project. Estimators assess risks, develop pricing strategies, and collaborate closely with engineers, project managers, and procurement teams to ensure all cost elements are captured. Their work directly influences a project’s financial viability and competitiveness. Estimators also help identify opportunities for value engineering and cost savings and have a sound understanding of construction methodologies.

Education

  • High School Certificate
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - extended major in Civil Engineering
  • Accreditation: Chartered Professional Engineer - Civil & Construction Engineering
  • Accreditation: Registered Professional Engineer QLD - Civil Engineering

Subjects

  • Biology
  • Digital Design/Information Technology
  • English
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics
  • Specialist Mathematics (Maths C)

Hobbies

  • Cooking
  • Reading
  • Renovating
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Travel

15 year old me!!

“Make mistakes, that's when you learn the most, just try not to make the same one twice.”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Started as an Undergraduate Structural Engineer
  2. Worked as a Graduate Structural Engineer
  3. Changed career paths and started working as a Graduate Site Engineer
  4. Worked my way up to Project Engineer level on construction sites
  5. Changed career paths again and took on a new role as an Estimator

My typical day

My employer

Through UNIQ You’s partnership with Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) we have been able to welcome construction advisors from CSQ’s Major Contractor Partners. Read more about this Advisors employer below. Seymour Whyte is a multi award-winning civil contractor that delivers major essential infrastructure across Australia. Our competitive advantage is our remarkable service and value for our clients, which comes from our highly skilled people, and excellence in governance and risk management. Our high-performing, collaborative and agile teams are empowered to relentlessly look for smarter ways to impact our world class projects. And, with an accessible team of hands-on management and leadership backing our people all the way, the possibilities for more diversity, growth, satisfaction and success in your career are well within your approval. Our areas of expertise range from roads and bridges, rail, marine, airports, tunnelling services, water, wastewater, energy and power projects nationally. A focus on actively diversifying has led to expansion of our capabilities, with the size, reach and complexity of projects awarded increasing significantly.