Paying for work experience?

Recruiter recently reported on emergence of job-seekers paying to gain practical work experience through internships.

Such experience will not come cheap, with one intern matching service charging candidates an average of £60 per day for their placement, with the highest fee of £200 daily.

The service provider argues that this is a reasonable price, when the internship is also considered as a means of on the job training. 

Please note: while the above has not been deemed unacceptable, employees must be aware that under no circumstances can recruitment agencies charge candidates for job finding services.

[Source: Recruiter 30.11.11]