OPITO is the National Training Organisation (NTO) for oil and gas extraction. As such, it has a strategic role in identifying current and future skills needs and ensuring that education and training arrangements are in place to meet them. It is also the body responsible on behalf of the offshore industry for ensuring the quality and content of key safety and emergency training.

OPITO represents employers, trade unions and academia. Board members are nominated by the UK Offshore Operators Association, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, the Offshore Contractors Association, the Well Services Contractors Association, the Inter-Union Offshore Oil Committee and academia, the advisors from Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Education and Employment.

For 60 years the Institute of Petroleum has been one of the principal independent bodies in Europe concerned with the advancement of technical and economic knowledge in the oil and gas industry around the world. That role remains essential as the industry faces the increasing influence of Europe, recognises the growing importance of safety, health and environmental issues and seeks to improve performance against a background of technological, political and legislative changes. The Institute offers expert, impartial guidance as well as an opportunity to participate in vital discussions and developments, while its diverse and enthusiastic membership ensures that the IP`s independence and focus are maintained.

We are the National Training Organisation for the engineering construction industry and are the centre of excellence for advice, information and skills development for the industry. We hold funds on behalf of the industry and manage training programmes, distribute grants for training and develop qualifications for people across the industry. We focus on improving site-based craft and supervisory skills, together with office-based skills of design and project management.

UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) is the representative organisation for the UK offshore oil and gas industry. Its members are companies licensed by the Government to explore for and produce oil and gas in UK waters.

The successor to the Government's Oils and Gas Industry Task Force, set up at the end of 1998 to ensure that the UK's oil and gas industry remains competitive.

The Department of Trade and Industry is the UK Government department with the overall aim "To increase competitiveness and scientific excellence in order to generate higher levels of sustainable growth and productivity in a modern economy." The links below offer more information on our objectives, expenditure, recruitment and working in DTI.

LOGIC is an industry funded organisation that will work with companies throughout the industry to stimulate collaboration and radically improve competitiveness – improving UK oil and gas sector performance by an estimated £1Bn over the next three years and export performance by 50% over the next five years.

NET is the National Training Organisation for the electrotechnical industry. The NET website will enable you to find the informed help you need on a wide variety of education, training, standards and careers issues.

EMTA is the National Training Organisation (NTO) for engineering manufacture - one of the very first bodies to be recognised by the government as an NTO in 1997.
It represents the sectors of:

• Aerospace
• Electrical engineering
• Electronics, including semi-conductors
• Mechanical engineering and metal trades
• Motor vehicles
• Shipbuilding and marine engineering.