The GNVQ generally involved much coursework (6-8 large assignments), which allowed holders to show their skills when applying for jobs.
The course was generally undertaken in Wales at Intermediate level with day-release at an appropriate work placement during school hours for the duration of the year.
Subsequent to 2005 many schools stopped using GNVQ courses in the sixth form and after 2004 incorporated Intermediate or Foundation level GNVQs into the syllabus in years 10 and 11 along with GCSEs.
Alternatives to GNVQ qualifications include vocational GCSEs, BTEC diplomas and certificates, OCR Nationals and City and Guild progression awards.
[5] The Diploma in Digital Applications, launched in 2005, was seen as a successor to GNVQ ICT,[6] however many centres quickly switched to the equivalent OCR National qualification due to issues with DiDA's assessment format.