graduate work experience

Hi,
just wondering if any one has any advice for me, I have just finished a manufacturing degree by night and dont have any work expierience yet in this area, the area i would like to work in would be design, have covered 2 modules in my course in this area and used CAD and 3Dsolid edge.
what would an employers view be off taking on someone for free, just so i can get some expierience?
Any other advice on getting a leg in the door would be greatly appreciated.
I am applying for jobs on grad ireland but probably competing with graduates who would have done a period of work placement.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Why dont you check out the FAS website for work placements, the new initiative coming out now is the internship programme where you can keep your dole, and get €100 from the employer and €50 euro towards further training, im doing it in an accountants at the moment for 8 months and i know my employer is very good to me and I am learning an absolute load so you can get an upperhand in an interview if you get one. Seriously worth it.

If you are planning to go for work experience then the best option you have is to apply through the online websites which has a universal tie-up and that will help you to get a suitable work experience from a reputed firm. So, look for the good online job portals.