This booklet, which draws heavily on the findings of a major study of the causes of student withdrawal from General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQ) courses in Britain, explains how student retention and completion can be improved at each stage of students' progress through a further education college. The booklet begins with background information on the study methodologies and conclusions, information about the publications arising from the project, and guidelines for using the booklet. In each of the next five sections, various issues identified during the survey are discussed in a format that includes some or all of the following: issues, checklists for addressing them, illustrative case studies, and pertinent quotations. The following topics are addressed: staff perceptions of GNVQ's, the accuracy of published rates of noncompletion, and staff versus student perceptions of reasons for noncompletion; planning for GNVQs (volume and timing of assignments); course guidance; program implementation (providing pastoral and learning support and balancing theory and practice); and course review and evaluation. The final chapter summarizes the study conclusions and lists seven types of further support for schools and colleges. Also included are an annotated listing of 24 useful resources and addresses and a list of 18 references. (MN)