Pregnant Mum of One from Sheffield Who Works Two Jobs Whilst Studying an Apprenticeship Wins Top Award

Ever felt like you're juggling a million things at once? Maybe it’s schoolwork, a part-time job, and trying to have a social life. It can feel like a lot. But then, you hear a story that just makes you stop and think, "Wow." This is one of those stories, and it comes straight out of Sheffield, right here in Yorkshire. It’s about a local woman who isn’t just juggling – she’s practically a circus act of brilliance, balancing family life, two jobs, and studying, and she just got a massive award for it.

A national winner from Sheffield

On Friday, 6th February 2026, the Eastern Education Group held its annual apprenticeship awards. Think of it like the Oscars, but for people who are learning a trade while actually doing the job. An apprenticeship is a clever way to get qualified without having to sit in a classroom all day; you earn money while you learn on the job. And the biggest award of the night, the title of National Winner, went to none other than Holly Speight from Sheffield. What an incredible moment for her and for Yorkshire!

This wasn't just a local prize; this was a national award, meaning Holly Speight was chosen as the best of the best from apprentices all over the country. Imagine the competition. Yet, Holly’s hard work and dedication shone through, making her stand out. It’s a testament to the incredible talent we have right here in England, and particularly in our corner of the world. The story was shared by John, a public relations consultant for the group, who highlighted this amazing success.

More than just an apprentice

So, what does it take to become a national winner? Well, in Holly’s case, a superhuman amount of determination. Holly isn't just a student; she’s a mum to one child and is expecting another. On top of that, she works two jobs to support her family. Let that sink in for a moment. Managing one job and an apprenticeship is tough enough, but adding another job and family life into the mix is truly something else. It shows that with the right mindset, pretty much anything is possible.

Of course, nobody achieves something this big on their own. Holly had her support system right there with her on the night. The awards ceremony had some lovely pictures taken, showing her celebrating with her biggest supporters: her husband, Jordan, and her work colleague, Nazia. You can just imagine the pride on her husband's face. Having people who believe in you, like her colleague Nazia and her husband Jordan, makes all the difference when you’re chasing a big goal.

The support behind the success

Winning an award like this isn’t just about the individual; it’s also about the organisation that provides the training. The Eastern Education Group, while based in Suffolk, clearly has a brilliant national reach, supporting apprentices like Holly all over England. A top-quality apprenticeship programme does more than just teach you skills for a job. It provides a whole network of support to make sure you’re doing okay, both personally and professionally.

A massive part of this is something called safeguarding. It’s a word that gets used a lot, but it basically means that organisations have a duty to protect the health, well-being, and rights of individuals. This is especially important when it comes to things like child protection and the government's PREVENT duty, which aims to protect people from being drawn into extremism. The Eastern Education Group takes this very seriously, with dedicated people like Claire Battey and Jackie Grimwood leading their safeguarding efforts. This commitment ensures that every apprentice is in a safe and supportive environment, which allows them to focus on learning and achieving amazing things, just like Holly did.

Celebrating a Yorkshire hero

Holly’s story is genuinely inspiring. It’s a reminder that no matter how much you have on your plate, you can still achieve incredible things. Her win at the annual apprenticeship awards is a huge personal achievement, but it’s also a brilliant moment for Sheffield and the whole of Yorkshire. Here at yorkshire.com, we absolutely love to shout about the amazing people from our region. The company behind the site, Yorkshire.com (International) Ltd, is a registered company in England (company number: 14038811) with a director, Linda Scott, who is passionate about showcasing the best of the county. The firm’s registered office is based in Leeds, perfectly placed to celebrate stories like this one.

The success of Holly Speight puts a spotlight on the power of an apprenticeship and the incredible spirit of people in Yorkshire. She is, without a doubt, a fantastic role model. We can't wait to see the fantastic pictures from the event that capture the joy of her win, celebrating with her proud husband Jordan and supportive colleague Nazia. It’s a proper good news story, shared by John and the Eastern Education Group, and a brilliant example of what dedication looks like.