Firms urged to take on interns paid by state

EMPLOYERS face a ‘call to action’ this week as the Government launches a bid to get 5,000 unemployed workers in internship places as part of its jobs initiative.

Social networking site Facebook and technology giant Hewlett Packard are among a number of companies who have already signed up to take trainees under their wing.

The state-paid scheme will be launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Social Protection Minister Joan Burton on Wednesday.