Companies replacing paid labour with free co-op students

At least when I did co-ops in highschool it was always made clear that students should NOT replace paid positions. You were mainly there as an extra set of hands for menial tasks and observations. Companies nowadays are literally firing apprentices/workers as soon as the busy summer season ends and replaces them with free labour. These co-op students are expected to pick up all the same responsibilities with none of the rewards.

The co-op program is amazing, but right now there’s a massive shortage of work available but it’s being heavily abused. I have talked to a 17 year old co-op that was teaching a 16 year old co-op how to frame a commercial wall with no supervisor on the entire floor, and that’s just one instance. When I mentioned that they should be getting paid they said “we don’t mind, these hours count towards our apprenticeship WHEN they register us”

I respect the drive, but it should be done alongside paid labour not instead of. While I’m sure this is nothing new it’s pretty brutal in this economy.