The NSW Training Awards will be decided by people's choice for the first time and Henty's Emily Jones is in the running.
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The 21-year-old has taken on a permanent youth development role with Greater Hume Council after completing a traineeship through ATEL.
After winning a regional round in May, Ms Jones is now a Trainee of the Year finalist.
"There's six in my category and I am the only one from the Riverina, so hopefully I can bring it home for my region," she said.
"There's such incredible passion that young people have and when councils and businesses give opportunities for trainees, it really does widen the community's eyes.
"Taking on a traineeship has opened up so many doors for me."
Ms Jones became involved with council's youth advisory committee as a Billabong High School student, and began a certificate four in library and information services with TAFE NSW in 2017.
"I made the decision I wanted to continue to work with them and help other young people find their pathway," she said.
"We developed this massive festival at Henty which in the end had over 250 young people attend, and it was all about letting young people know what's around their own communities."
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The "Festival of Possibilities" was highly commended at the NSW Youth Week awards.
Greater Hume library and youth services development officer Susan Kane said Ms Jones' progression to the NSW finals in the training awards was no surprise.
"We're so excited and it's so well-deserved; Emily has worked really hard, and she shows such passion and dedication for her work," she said.
"She spent two years working on her traineeship, and she's been able to step right into her role so well."
Ms Kane said it was a shame Ms Jones would miss out on an awards night, with the winners to be announced in a live-streamed Facebook event on October 9.
COVID-19 has affected so many aspects of people's lives, and Ms Jones feels a great responsibility in supporting young people through the unknowns.
"It feels amazing to be able to offer the support to people I grew up with," she said.
"We've been able to move into the digital sphere to offer instant connection."
You can vote for Ms Jones at vet.nsw.gov.au/news/nsw-peoples-choice-awards-2020.
