[garyrob]

This question, and some of the responses give me the thought: Maybe there's room for a site that allows people to post the fact that they are at a stage in their career that they're willing to work for free.

They'd include useful information such as why they are prepared to contribute (such as 18 months studying python and Flask and building some personal projects), letters of reference from people who can attest to their character and smarts, etc.

Also, the site could perform such basics as a criminal check and make the results available to potential "employers" with the permission of the person who wants to get experience (he or she would OK the information dissemination for each potential one).

Just had this thought today and am wondering what people might think about it. (As it happens, I'm in the process of deciding on my next project...)