Basic Blocklaying — OCN London Vocational Employability & Work Skills

The OCNLR Level 1 Award in Work Preparation for Building and Construction introduces you to the essential skills and knowledge needed to start a career in the construction industry. This qualification covers key areas such as health and safety, understanding different construction roles, and preparing for employment. It is designed to help you build a strong foundation for further study or entry-level work in trades like bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating, or general construction.

You will learn how to identify hazards on a construction site, use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly, and follow safe working practices. The course also explores the range of job roles available in construction, from labourers to skilled tradespeople, and helps you understand what employers expect. By the end of the award, you will have created a personal action plan for your next steps, whether that is an apprenticeship, college course, or job.

This qualification is part of a wider suite of OCNLR vocational awards that prepare you for the world of work. It is particularly valuable because it combines practical knowledge with employability skills, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Mastering these topics will give you confidence and a competitive edge when applying for construction roles or further training.

• →Health and safety regulations: Understand key legislation like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and how it applies to construction sites, including risk assessments and method statements.
• →Personal protective equipment (PPE): Know the different types of PPE (e.g., hard hats, safety boots, hi-vis vests) and when each must be worn to prevent injury.
• →Construction job roles: Be able to describe the responsibilities of common roles such as site manager, carpenter, bricklayer, and labourer, and how they work together on a project.
• →Employability skills: Recognise the importance of punctuality, teamwork, communication, and following instructions in a construction environment.
• →Career progression: Understand the routes into construction, including apprenticeships, college courses, and entry-level jobs, and how to set realistic goals.

• Award credit for demonstrating correct selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout all tasks.
• Award credit for accurately interpreting the given instruction and specification, including drawing and written details.
• Award credit for setting out the wall position using appropriate tools (e.g., tape measure, spirit level, string line) with correct dimensions and right angles.
• Award credit for mixing mortar to the correct consistency and ratio as per specification.
• Award credit for laying dense concrete and lightweight insulation blocks to the required bond, with beds and perpends of consistent thickness and fully filled.
• Award credit for maintaining plumb, level, and alignment throughout construction, checking at regular intervals.
• Award credit for cleaning and storing tools and equipment safely after use, and disposing of waste appropriately.

• 💡Always begin by thoroughly reviewing the specification and instructions; ask the assessor for clarification if any detail is unclear before starting.
• 💡Practise setting out on a dry, clean surface first to confirm measurements and squareness before mixing mortar.
• 💡Use a consistent, smooth motion when applying mortar, and consistently check bed joint thickness with a gauge or trowel.
• 💡Keep your work area tidy and free of debris to avoid trips and to make inspection of your work easier.
• 💡For the assessment, demonstrate clear awareness of different block characteristics—explain why you adjust technique for dense versus lightweight blocks.
• 💡When answering questions about health and safety, always refer to specific regulations or procedures (e.g., 'under the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers must provide PPE'). This shows you understand the legal context, not just common sense.
• 💡For questions on job roles, use examples of tasks each role performs. For instance, say 'a bricklayer lays bricks and blocks using mortar, while a carpenter works with wood to build structures like roofs and floors.' Specific details earn higher marks.
• 💡In your personal action plan, make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). For example, 'I will apply for three construction apprenticeships by the end of next month.' This demonstrates clear planning.

• Students often neglect to check the level and plumb at every block, leading to uneven walls.
• Misreading the specification or drawing, resulting in incorrect dimensions or bond patterns.
• Using mortar that is too dry or too wet, causing weak bonds or excessive slumping.
• Failing to secure the line properly for setting out, which can cause the wall to deviate from the intended position.
• Lifting blocks incorrectly, risking manual handling injuries, especially with heavier dense concrete blocks.
• Not allowing for the difference in weight and absorbency between dense concrete and lightweight insulation blocks, affecting mortar adhesion.
• Misconception: 'Health and safety rules are just red tape and slow down work.' Correction: Health and safety procedures are designed to protect you and your colleagues from serious injury or death. Following them correctly can prevent accidents and is a legal requirement.
• Misconception: 'You don't need any qualifications to work in construction.' Correction: While some entry-level jobs may not require formal qualifications, having a qualification like this award shows employers you are committed, knowledgeable, and safe to have on site. Many roles now require specific certifications (e.g., CSCS card).
• Misconception: 'All construction work is the same – just manual labour.' Correction: Construction offers a wide range of skilled trades and professional roles, from carpentry to project management. Each requires different training and skills, and many offer good career progression.

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