Two thirds (66%) of young people are seeking internships due to the recession, according to a poll by the National Council for Work Experience (NCWE).

The poll reveals that that two thirds (67%) feel exploited or undervalued by working unpaid, while 49% of respondents have worked unpaid for four weeks or more.

Work Experience Guidelines by the DTI/HM Revenue and Customs aim to minimise potential exploitation, stating that two weeks is an appropriate period for an unpaid placement and in exceptional circumstances, a maximum of four weeks.

Heather Collier, director of the NCWE, says: “It’s worrying to hear that so many young people consider themselves as exploited and almost forced to work for free. Nobody should feel that to gain the employability skills they need to land a job, they have to work without pay for a significant length of time. These are difficult to times for everyone, but it’s not a green light for businesses to act unethically. If there is any doubt in an employer’s mind regarding potential exploitation, it’s simple – pay them!”