Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund 2025-2026: equalities impact assessment

Executive summary

This EQIA has considered the potential impact of the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund 2025-26 (Oil and Gas TTF) on oil and gas workers and associated supply chain workers with protected characteristics who may apply for the fund. This EQIA has also considered potential impacts on the existing diversity landscape within the oil and gas sector and emerging energy sectors. This scope reflects the Scottish Government’s responsibility for the design of the fund and engagement with our delivery partner, Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

Evidence gathered through desk-based research and stakeholder consultation has found that this fund will have a positive impact across all (in scope) protected characteristics. Some additional recommendations were made as part of this EQIA to further advance equality of opportunity for applicants to the fund. These include:

• Provisionally reserving funding from the point of the first career conversation, to support those who may need additional time to apply.
• Ensuring the application process is inclusive with alternative routes to apply should the web portal not be suitable.
• Providing an exceptions process to ensure individuals who have been out of the oil and gas workforce due to a protected characteristic for longer than two years are not excluded.
• Ensuring communications are inclusive and signpost to the support available.