Sixteen Coleg Gwent students visited MHA’s affordable housing development at Rockfield Farm, Undy this week to gain first-hand experience of an active building site, from our construction partner Harper Group.
The group of 16-year-olds are 6 weeks into their Skills for Wales foundation course in electrical installation. The course involves electrical and plumbing theory plus practical elements over the two trades. There are also 6 mandatory core units that consist of topics such as the built environment, emerging technologies, employability and a health and safety unit.
Antony Rees, Group Managing Director, J. Harper & Sons (Leominster) Ltd said:
It is always a pleasure to welcome students onto our site who are aspiring to forge careers in construction. We look forward to continuing our partnership with MHA, Coleg Gwent and other local institutions as we promote careers in the industry, local employment and inspire the next generation.
The visit kicked off with a Greggs breakfast, followed by a guided tour of the development of 32 homes lead by Andrew Chadd, Construction Director of Harper Group.
The students gained a valuable insight into the workings of a live construction site including timber frame, first fix process and the various electrical elements built into the new homes.
Representatives for Daikin and Solax Power also spoke to the students about the benefits of using air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.
John Davies, Project Manager, MHA said:
We were delighted to welcome the students to our new development in Undy.
Our close partnership with Harper Group and Coleg Gwent underpins MHA’s commitment to creating a sustainable future, not just for our residents but for the professional trades of tomorrow!
Thanks to Harper Group for co-ordinating the event and to Daikin and Solax Power for their valuable insight into existing and emerging technologies – the students were fascinated.
Vittorio Gabbiadini Coleg Gwent Lecturer:
The group were delighted to receive a Greggs breakfast roll at the start of the visit; a lovely touch from the staff and organisers, especially on a cold Autumn morning!
The contractors made us all feel very welcome. The group were taken around the site and shown two separate properties, one that was first fixed and another halfway through the second fix process. This was a great idea and it gave the learners a detailed insight into the installation process and an almost finished property.
One learner noted that there was too much copper exposed on a socket that was unscrewed from the wall! This made the team laugh, but ultimately it revealed how much the students were enjoying and observing.
I would like to express my gratitude to all who were involved with the site visit, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you.
MHA works closely with its supply chain partners and contractors to create meaningful benefits for both customers and wider communities. In fact, MHA recently invited local community groups in Magor and Undy to bid for a share of the generous ‘community benefit’ pot of £20,000 donated by Harper Group.
The sustainable homes will be available for affordable rent early 2026. They are built to an EPC A standard, complete with air source heat pumps and solar panels, meaning the homes will be highly energy efficient and cheaper to run for the residents.
