HPSU Skillnet was established in 2007 by a group of HPSU's/Startup entrepeuneurs who had just completed an Enterprise Development Programme in the BMW Region (Border, Midlands & West). At the end of the programme it was clear that there was a need to seek and deliver customised training and develop networking opportunities for the companies and their employees. In collaboration with NUI Galway, the HPSU Skillnet was formed to fill the skills gap and to enable the member companies to gain competitive advantage by growing their skills set and networking with like minded individuals who were all at similar stages of development.

A critical and central barrier consistently reported by the HPSU network members since the networks foundation is that access to the level of professional expertise required by HPSU companies is not readily available or accessible in the BMW Region, and access to these experts requires travel, days out of the office and costs incurred in attending the training. As a direct result of having an active HPSU Skillnet Network, these companies do not have to look to Dublin, the UK or further afield to up skill. The network facilitates the access for training in the BMW Region thus making it a valuable return on investment for the member companies and removes the location and prohibitive cost barriers for training.

The HPSU Skillnet delivers training/networking regionally to all member companies who want a focus on owner/managers and key personnel who are the people that can drive the companies forward in the coming years. This allows management to commit themselves and staff to attending quality subsidised training more often than before.