How to ask a business if you can come and have a look at what they do?

[IrianofWay]

DS2 is at college studying furniture making. Doing pretty well now. He is intending to carry on next year to do the next level and probably the years after that to level 3. BUT... he has now become interested in something different and having found out that there are some local businesses he wants to ask if he could go and have a look. How would you go about wording this? Would they not be interested as he isn't studying their 'subject'?

We get lots of requests for work experience but not sure we have ever had one to look around. I guess it would depend on the business size - big, and they probably have a standard procedure for it. I usually respond to ones that are polite, literate and intelligent. I am less likely to respond to a garbled phone message or an email of one sentence. The industry I work in is perceived as interesting which is why we get so many of these requests. We certainly don't only show people round if they are studying the subject.

Thanks well

The businesses would be small - he is interested in blacksmithing. I guess part of the point of it is just to talk to the people and see what theur experiences are. Ideally he wants to do both things but right now I am am nervous of him giving up something he seems to be (finally) settled at for somethign he knows nothing of.

I have seen many blacksmiths at festivals, fairs etc, who offer workshops or short weekend courses - could that be another way in if the first approach fails?

I would advise him to go and introduce himself. He will need to be confident but they are more likely to take him seriously if he makes the effort to go there. Just knock on the door and say, 'Sorry if this is inconvenient - I'm really interested in working in this area and was wondering where I could find out more info or if you could spare ten minutes to talk about how you started up'. Someone asked DH about our business and they were still there 3 hours later having had a guided tour and a cuppa!

It seems like two things that could be combined - would be more worrying if it was say, baking and tree surgery!

Thanks traviata - it was a fair that we went to at the weekend that triggered him thining more seriously about this. Problem is the course are generally really expensive and we/he can't afford that at the moment - and often then are aimed at people who have experience. But it's definitely an option if all else fails.

well - that is good advice. I agree they aren't too far removed from each other.

How about looking at some of these 're-enactment' villages etc that exist round the country - they often have a blacksmiths workshop set up in Victorian times etc. I'm thinking Beamish, Amberley Chalk Pits, Morwellham Quay for example. The people there always seem happy to chat (as long as you don't go on a Bank Holiday!) He might be able to find out some useful information - at least some contacts?

Try the local Chamber of Commerce. They might have a member in that field and could effect an introduction.

I would just approach a local blacksmith ( is it a blacksmith or a farrier (horse shoer) that he is interested in becoming?) and ask to spend a morning shadowing them as he is considering changing direction. I'd try to find someone who has a connection, ie friend of a friend as they are more likely to help.

Most blacksmiths and farriers work as individuals so are more likely to be receptive to such requests than a bigger organisation I'd think.