In order to get to this stage, Reece had to place in the Western Region rounds, which he won, before being nominated for the state title.

In an interview with the Mudgee Guardian Oldfield, who completed a traineeship in Certificate III in Surface Mining - Surface Extraction Operations with Train365, said he initially thought he would never get this far.

"I was really chuffed and quite surprised, I didn't think I would get this far if I'm honest," he said.

"I knew I would be up against some really tough competition, there's a lot of other bright kids and students that were studying their apprenticeships and what not, so I knew I was going to have my hands full getting through to the next level.

"I put a fair bit of effort in to try and get my interviews down pat so I was across it when it came around and I think I went fairly well."

NSW Training Awards have this year created an additional category, 'People's Choice', and Oldfield is hoping this is something a country bloke like himself could take home to prove that there are opportunities for people outside of metropolitan areas.

"I think that ['People's Choice'] would be a really big achievement for myself and for everyone who has helped me get as far as I have - the trainers, Skillset, Train365, and the Moolarben guys too, it would be a team effort if I were to get that award," Reece said.

"Often we miss out on a lot of things, it's typically kids from the city that seem to get things like this.

Voting for the 'People's Choice' award will be on the Vocational Education and Training website from September 4, with the state placements announced in October.