Britain's General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) represent a new qualification that offers students a broadly based preparation for employment as well as an accepted route to further and higher education. They are of equal standing with academic qualifications at the same level and are designed to fit between and to complement the academic track and National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). GNVQ content for each vocational sector is developed by an awarding body nominated by the National Council for Vocational Qualifications (NCVQ). The NCVQ accredits the GNVQ when development work is complete; the GNVQ can then be awarded by any of the three accredited awarding bodies. GNVQs, like NVQs, are made up of units that contain a number of elements, performance criteria, and other assessment information. Three types of unit make up the qualification and must be achieved for a student to obtain a GNVQ: mandatory vocational, optional vocational, and core skill units. Although designed specifically for students aged 16-19, GNVQs are available to all individuals over age 16. The GNVQ assessment system is designed so that most assessment is carried out during the course of the student's learning program. Evidence of achievement is collected by a variety of methods and gathered into a portfolio. Grading of GNVQs is based upon centrally determined grading themes, concerned with the generic process skills of planning, information seeking and handling, and evaluation. (YLB)