Top-Scorer Tiegan Secures Full-Time Position at Expanded Metal Company

One of our apprentices is celebrating after securing a full-time position ahead of receiving top marks. The Expanded Metal Company were quick to offer Tiegan Cranney a permanent position after impressing as a Level 3 Customer Service Specialist Apprentice at their Longhill Industrial Estate site in Hartlepool.

The 22-year-old, who originally studied a Level 1 Business Administration and Health and Safety course, made the most of the opportunity after the College had recommended her to the renowned manufacturer. Tiegan, from Hartlepool, has never looked back since starting in the customer service role in February last year and achieved distinction in all assessments with 100 per cent marks under the watchful eye of the College’s School of Professional and Creative Studies’ assessor Beverley Thornton.

Tiegan said: “When starting this apprenticeship just before I turned 21, I was first sceptical of how I would re-adapt to college life being an older student. However, I quickly found that this course suited me, as smaller class sizes meant my tuition was more so on a one-to-one basis, although this doesn’t happen for everyone, I think I got lucky. I would recommend to anyone my age debating apprenticeships to do it, they are a great way to develop your skills and earn while you learn, and can often result in amazing opportunities like mine in securing full-time employment for a great employer. My apprenticeship has helped me develop my personal skills such as communication, and my professional skills such as technical knowledge and interdepartmental knowledge.
Even now I am always developing my job role through new opportunities to learn about other aspects of the business. Customer service is a broad term, and every employee has a part to play in that to some degree, so it has been interesting to see how each area contributes to customer satisfaction.”

Tiegan, a former Dyke House Academy student, initially learned about GDPR, cybersecurity, health and safety. Her current role concentrates on the regular customer service expectations with added extras such as CRM, order entry, quote entry, managing live chat and taking phone calls.

Mark Proctor, The Expanded Metal Company’s Head of UK Sales and Service, said: “From day one Tiegan has never failed to impress. Her ability to learn new skills quickly and the way she carries out her day-to-day tasks is brilliant. Tiegan is a quick learner and a great addition to our team. “Tiegan has had such a positive impact on our business and has a lot more responsibility as time has gone on. She continues to develop into her role of UK Sales and Service representative and will continue to develop her skills with more complex costings.To say I am proud of what she has achieved would be an understatement. I am so pleased Tiegan’s hard work and dedication paid off for her to achieve such a brilliant result and secure a full-time position with us.”

And The Expanded Metal Company’s Jo Lloyd, Head of People and QHSE, said: “Tiegan has been an absolute pleasure to add to our team. She has a lovely demeanour, with customers and within the office environment. Most recently, Tiegan has joined the newly formed ‘Culture Club’ in the company to help drive forward change and introduce a more social workplace. Tiegan has undertaken her college learning the same way as she has her onsite apprenticeship, quietly, all on her own steam and with a focus that does her credit. To achieve 100 per cent across the board gives her the distinction she deserves. We’re very proud of Tiegan and can see her progress in new ways with The Expanded Metal Company.”