To ask about volunteering for work experience?

[LifesTooShortForMatchingSocks]

I have been looking to get back into work but i'm limited to options with childcare and dh works very long hours.
I have seen quite a lot of work coming up for optical assistants but have no experience or qualifications. Would it be a bit weird to ask our local opticians if I can do some full time voluntary work to gain experience for a year?

The worst they can do is say no.....and they might be able to tell you if qualifications are needed, and how you can get them if this is the case.

Yeah thats what I thought. I dont know how best to approach. Its an independently run business and even if I just gained a bit of retail experience out of it I'd be happy. I've been at home with my kids for so long im just looking for a bit of experience before i jump back in at the deep end.

a lot of Opticians seem to run an Optical Assistant Apprenticeship programme - that might be a way in!

That's a lot of hours/work. I'd check that much was necessary first.

Yeah i have seen apprenticeships advertised for larger companies but thought that was only for teens/young adults?