However, MMC also has the potential to improve performance in another construction-related field: social value. By their nature, MMC facilities can deliver community engagement, skills development, and improved living standards—beyond the economic benefits they provide.
In construction, "social value" refers to the broader benefits projects bring to society, such as community impact, job creation, sustainability, and social well-being. It emphasises contributing positively to local communities through supporting local employment and supply, leading educational programmes in local schools and colleges, or volunteering time to "facelift" a nearby community resource. All these are valuable initiatives that should not be taken for granted. However, there is also a challenge with this type of social action when it happens on an ad-hoc basis and in short bursts. It results in less impactful programmes, daily training sessions, or job talks at schools, simply due to the nature of the site-by-site work. This is further emphasised—again, for many justifiable reasons—by the desire of local governments to enjoy the benefits of projects within their respective municipal zones.
MMC represents an emerging profession that merges construction and manufacturing, demanding a deep understanding of both fields. Collaborating with educational institutions allows the MMC industry to embed this discipline into students' training from the outset. By learning BIM-led design, CNC manufacturing, and waste minimisation, students become ready to contribute effectively—not just someday, but within the foreseeable planning horizon. Just as teenagers internalise the instincts of smartphone use, future MMC professionals will embody this new craft. A facility rooted in its community can both deliver greater value to the target demographic and reap considerably higher rewards in return.
Case Study
MY Construction Group's MMC facility (MY-Fab) is a good example of how this can work. A specialist in modular construction, MY-Fab has partnered with Northampton College to involve 250 students in key modular housing projects every year. Students from carpentry, mechanical, and electrical courses are gaining hands-on experience by working on tools to deliver MY's projects. By learning the ins and outs of CNC manufacturing processes alongside whole-life waste diversion/elimination principles, while also swinging hammers and switching drill bits from early in the training process, these young adults have become ready and eager to join the workforce, with an instinctive understanding of MMC. Not in a distant, hypothetical future, but within two years—which is well within the facility's planning horizon.
On-site social value activities are still crucial and should be encouraged and expanded. However, the social value added by MMC facilities should be given greater consideration when evaluating the social impact of a construction project, let alone a multi-billion-pound framework. Current regulations still emphasise only the location-based contributions of a project, while with the changing landscape of construction, public sector procurement bodies must introduce new metrics to account for the value added by MMC facilities.
Please see a link to a short video case study produced by Northampton College
Jack’s Story
CARPENTRY
Carpentry student Jack is thrilled to have developed new skills during his two-day work experience placement at the Northampton-based manufacturing company MY-FAB.
During his industry placement, Jack found it useful to see how different work environments operate, and he enjoyed learning how to use some power tools that he has not yet used on the Level 2 Site Carpentry course at Northampton College.
He said: "I enjoyed doing my work experience placement at MY-FAB because the staff were helpful and made me feel comfortable. It was great to learn on the job and I was able to use the skills I have developed at the College during my placement as I was involved in multiple different jobs."
The teaching team on the carpentry course at Northampton College helped Jack secure his industry placement. Reflecting on his tutors, Jack said:"The teachers on my course are extremely helpful and very nice people. I ask lots of questions but my tutors never get annoyed and are always happy to support me. They are great at showing students the best way to do things."
Jack is hoping to secure a carpentry apprenticeship after completing his College course.
"Ideally, I would like to start a career working in the building industry after completing my studies at the College," said Jack.
He added: "Carpentry is my main area of interest, but I would also like to gain experience working in other sectors, such as window cleaning and gardening."
