Major reform of the JobBridge scheme is being urged, after it emerged that nearly a third of interns remain unemployed after completing the programme.

The National Youth Council has released a survey of the scheme, which found 44 per cent of interns felt they were used as free labour, and just over half, or 57 per cent, were satisfied with their experience.

The Council is criticising JobBridge for being too broad and lacking quality, and says it needs ensure interns are sent to workplaces where they will actually learn new skills.

A policy analyst with the National Economic and Social Council, John Sweeney, believes there needs to be more buy-in from companies into the scheme.

“The employer needs to be much more positive as to why they are making space in their workplace for someone who is not on their payroll. That would solve the issues with mentoring quality, with (and) long-term follow through effects,” he said.