The IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet was established in June 2013. The purpose of the network is to address the skills requirements of the manufacturing and engineering sector. The IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet aims to provide intensive training programmes that focus on and are driven by specific member company needs. The network is made up of a group of companies that have shared training needs. Member companies can commission training that is suited exactly to their needs and by joining the IIE Manufacturing and Engineering Skillnet companies can benefit from subsidised training cTheirses that can be provided locally and delivered at times that suit them.

The Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) acts as the contracting organisation that manages and administers the activities of the network and receives and manages the funds from Skillnets Ltd. on behalf of the network group. The IIE also provides a network manager who is the key coordinator, providing the professional and developmental input. Both the IIE and the network manager will work with a steering group which has been formed from the member companies. This steering group will oversee and direct the network. The group will meet on a regular basis to make management decisions.

The network reserves a limited number of places for unemployed people across all training programmes and many of them provide direct access to employers through work placements.