Mentor: Damien Cashinella, Talent Partner at HQW Aerospace
Josh Eshref
Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year
Josh鈥檚 journey into engineering began with the influence of his grandfather and was nurtured through years of hands-on experience. After a four-year apprenticeship in CNC machining, he worked full-time in marine engineering. 鈥淲orking in industry gave me the foundation,鈥 he says, 鈥渂ut I wanted more. I wanted to innovate.鈥
Coming from a low-income background and experiencing family estrangement, Josh faced significant challenges when starting his degree. The Tamar Engineering Project has provided a lifeline, supporting him financially and professionally as he takes this next step.
鈥淭he scholarship has transformed my studies,鈥 Josh explains. 鈥淚 was able to buy an iPad and a laptop, essential tools, especially as I have dyslexia. They鈥檝e completely changed the way I learn.鈥
Mentorship has also been key. His mentor arranged a 鈥榤ini-internship鈥 that gave him hands-on experience in a new field and opened his eyes to career opportunities. 鈥淚t showed me the different directions an engineering degree can take you,鈥 he says. 鈥淚鈥檝e become more interested in roles in Formula 1 and advanced CAD/CAM.鈥
Thanks to the scholarship, Josh hasn鈥檛 needed to take on part-time work, giving him the space to focus entirely on his studies. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 made a huge difference,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 can put everything into my course, rather than worrying about money.鈥
Josh is already thinking about his future. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to become an aerodynamic engineer in Formula 1,鈥 he says, 鈥渙r perhaps specialise as a 5-axis CAD/CAM engineer. I want to take what I鈥檝e learned and push it as far as I can.鈥
Thank you
To those who have supported him, Josh is deeply grateful.
鈥淭hank you. Your support has allowed me to study, learn, and build a better future, especially coming from a low-income family. The mentorship is fantastic, and the funding is life-changing. Supporting a scholarship truly makes a difference.鈥
