From Doubt to Distinction: Tiegan's Apprenticeship Story

Former Hartlepool College apprentice Tiegan Cranney continues to excel at The Expanded Metal Company, proving that apprenticeships can completely transform careers – and lives.

At 24, Tiegan has achieved something remarkable. What started as a first step into an industry she never imagined herself in has blossomed into a thriving career where she has become the go-to expert others turn to for answers.

Now a full-time UK Sales and Service Representative at Expanded Metal – the UK's leading stainless steel mesh manufacturer ~ Tiegan has completed two successive apprenticeships with Hartlepool College, achieving distinctions in both her Level 3 Customer Service Apprenticeship and, more recently, her Team Leader Apprenticeship.

A Journey That Started with Uncertainty

"I'll be honest, when I first heard about the opportunity at Expanded Metal, I thought 'I don't really want to go into manufacturing,'" Tiegan reflects. "I didn't think that was my area of interest. I thought I wouldn’t be good at the job, or that I’d struggle to stay motivated in an industry that was totally new to me."

Tiegan’s background couldn't have been more different: having studied Psychology, Law, and Sociology at A-level, the manufacturing world seemed like foreign territory. But sometimes the best opportunities come disguised as challenges.

"I thought, what's the worst that can happen? I'll give it a go. If I don't like it, then I don't like it," she says. "I had a rocky start in the first few weeks. I was originally so shy and struggled with going on the phone or chatting to colleagues. Once I got into the swing of things, I began to enjoy going to work and learning about various customer service theories and tips. It helped me come out of my shell a lot. Now, I have in-depth conversations with customers as part of my day-to-day work, and I really enjoy them. "

From Learning to Leading

That initial hesitation seems almost impossible to believe now. Tiegan has not only mastered the technical complexities of expanded metal manufacturing but has expanded her role to include international markets ~ a challenging area that requires a completely different approach to customer service.

"Export inquiries tend to be a lot more complex," she explains. "In the UK we might have a stock range we can offer, but export customers are often looking for something very specific. It's been the most challenging aspect of doing this sort of work, but also one of the most interesting.”

Tiegan’s expertise now extends far beyond customer service. Through her Team Leader apprenticeship, she's gained the skills to mentor and develop new employees – a role that brings her particular pride.

"We've had a new employee start recently, and my Team Leader apprenticeship supported me to train and mentor her," Tiegan says. "It's good to see her developing along the same lines as I did – starting off knowing nothing about mesh, she's now becoming really confident speaking to customers. I feel a lot of pride that my team and I helped her get to that point."

Breaking Barriers in Manufacturing

As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Tiegan has found her place and is proud to be contributing to greater diversity in STEM fields. "I may not be actively working on the shop floor or on the machines, but I have developed a strong technical background, which plays to my natural abilities in maths. I'm proud of my deep knowledge of mesh patterns, raw materials, and calculations – the details are all at the front of my mind when speaking to customers and colleagues."

Tiegan credits her success to excellent support and her own determination. "The biggest key to my achievements was the support I received from both the College and my workplace, plus my own enthusiasm," she reflects. "My tutors, Carol and Jo, were amazing – I always knew I'd get help when needed." At work, she's found a collaborative environment where knowledge is freely shared. "Everyone's willing to help. The production team and machine operators will give you answers straight away."

Perhaps the most telling sign of Tiegan's transformation is in how others now view her. "I'm now becoming that go-to person myself," she says. "I enjoy when people come to me knowing I will be able to find answers for things. Other people's perceptions of me line up with how proud I feel of myself."

Philip Astley, Managing Director of The Expanded Metal Company, said: “Tiegan’s journey is a fantastic example of how apprenticeships can unlock talent and transform careers. From Tiegan’s uncertain beginnings, she has grown into a confident, knowledgeable professional who is now a key part of our UK sales team. Her drive, curiosity, and growth mindset have earned her the respect of colleagues across the business on how quickly she understands products and processes. We are very proud of everything she has achieved and look forward to seeing her continue to flourish and make a positive impact.”

Joanne Pardue, Tiegan's tutor at Hartlepool College of Further Education, echoes this sentiment about her former student's remarkable progress. "Tiegan's apprenticeship journey epitomises what we at Hartlepool College of Further Education strive to achieve for all our students: success and progression. Tiegan was an exemplary student and proved that hard work and determination really can pay off. To achieve a Distinction not once but twice in two different areas is an amazing achievement and Tiegan should be extremely proud of herself; I hope other young people read this and take inspiration from her."

Looking back at Tiegan’s journey, the change is remarkable. “It's my way of life now,” she explains. “I’m still me, but both apprenticeships have shaped me into a completely different person professionally."

“The best decision I ever made”: Tiegan’s Advice for Future Apprentices

For anyone considering an apprenticeship but feeling uncertain, Tiegan's advice is clear: "Go for it. Stop doubting yourself because that's all I did – I would worry, ‘I'm not doing a good enough job, I don't have the right background, I've never done anything like this before.’" Tiegan is particularly keen to encourage others who might feel they're 'too old' for apprenticeships. "Once I got past the mindset that an apprenticeship was for a particular age range or type of person, it completely changed things for me. It was the best decision I ever made."

Tiegan’s story is proof that with the right support, determination, and willingness to step outside your comfort zone, apprenticeships open doors to all kinds of genuinely transformative opportunities. From someone who knew "nothing at all" about manufacturing, to an expert who surprises even herself with how much she now knows, Tiegan Cranney's journey shows what's possible when talent meets opportunity.