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TechTrade | 08 Aug 2012 :  Minister for social protection Joan Burton has congratulated ICT solutions company Datapac on its continued involvement in the work placement programme for graduates. Datapac has recruited its 100th student to the programme, with 13 students taking up placements this year.

The initiative began in 2004 and Datapac has invested over €1 million since its beginning with €145,000 to be invested this year. Gavin Downey, a multimedia student from Waterford IT has become the 100th intern at Datapac.

Minister Burton praised the programme for offering students and graduates the "opportunity to learn new and enterprising skills that will give them valuable experience to enter the workforce and secure long term employment".

Students involved in the work placement programme gain experience in a number of areas including IT architecture, customer service, sales and marketing. Several past students have been hired as full time employees.

Karen O'Connor, general manager service delivery, Datapac said: "As an Irish company we are aware of the need for more skilled Irish professionals, particularly in the IT industry. We began this programme to give something back to the local communities in which we operate and found it to be extremely successful for both Datapac and the students. We are fully committed to continuing to grow this programme over the coming years."

Fiona Donnellan