Operators and contractors working within the UK offshore oil sector have reached an agreement regarding the sharing of best practice and the development of new educational tools for workers.

Under the new arrangement, the Oil & Gas Academy (OPITO) will work alongside the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and the Offshore Contractors Association.

According to the chief executive of ECITB, David Edwards, the initiative comes as the industry looks to address the shortage of skilled workers in a variety of areas in the sector while ensuring that none of the organisations involved wastes effort and money on duplicating training projects another has already carried out.

OPITO added in a statement: "As well as allowing for improved quality and transferability of the skills pool leading to increased safety and overall business performance, the new alliance will also provide a combined menu of skills and training solutions for operators and contractors."

Presently, the UK government is working to reduce the country's dependence on oil by seven per cent by 2020, in line with European Union renewable energy targets.