In order to ensure the future of high-quality medical leadership we need to empower those at the beginning of their career to make informed choices about their future. Medic Academy is a work experience programme based at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) developed in conjunction with Petroc, the local sixth form college. Locally, there was a lack of varied and structured work experience opportunities. As NDDH is the most rural hospital on mainland England a significant proportion of doctor’s travel in from surrounding areas. These factors mean that local students had less exposure to a network of informal contacts to facilitate work experience. A structured programme was created that offers a range of experience within the hospital setting, and empowers students in their career decisions. Qualitative feedback has demonstrated that students feel empowered to make a career decision that would shape their future. It also gave them a realistic impression of life as a doctor and broadened their horizons to explore other career options within healthcare. Staff consider this program a unique opportunity in a rural setting and the project has been highlighted in parliament by the local MP. The junior doctor organisational team also found it offered a valuable experience in broadening leadership skills outside of healthcare. Having a locally based work experience such as this helps support the wider community, improving opportunities for young adults as well as engaging the local community with their local hospital. It was an invaluable experience in developing leadership skills and understanding how to drive and develop a project. It also demonstrated that engaging the wider community can help build our future workforce and therefore our future leaders.