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

Recommendations and Conclusion

Some of the Oil and Gas TTF’s mechanisms - such as the concept of a person-centred careers advice - were already designed to promote equality of opportunity prior to this EQIA process. However, following the EQIA process, some additional adjustments have been made that further reduce barriers that may limit access to this fund for people with protected characteristics. These include:

Avoiding allocating funding on a first come first serve basis. Funding will be provisionally reserved at the point of the first career conversation, until the application is completed and assessed. By taking this approach, we will remove the time pressure to submit applications. This will mitigate potential negative impacts of awarding funding on a first come first served basis, which may disadvantage those who require additional time to complete their application.

Ensuring the application process is as inclusive as possible. We will work with the delivery partner to ensure all relevant accessibility guidance is followed in the design of the Oil and Gas TTF application process. This will include ensuring there are alternative routes to apply (other than a main web portal). These approaches should help encourage workers with protected characteristics to apply for the fund.

Exceptions process. By putting in place a case-by-case exceptions process for individuals who have been out of the oil and gas workforce for longer than two years, we will ensure individuals with protected characteristics are not indirectly excluded from applying to this fund.

Ensuring the communications plan is inclusive and signposts to the support available. We will work with the delivery partner to ensure that any materials promoting the fund use inclusive language across all protected characteristics. We will additionally work with stakeholders, including trade unions, to ensure the fund is promoted to as many workers as possible – including workers who may be on maternity leave or extended career break.