It's hard to beat the "hall" when it comes to training. I went through the union apprenticeship program. After I left the Navy in '90, went through the program, "turned out" in '95, I worked the field for 4 years became an estimator , and landed my Master's in Feb of 2001. Now, I'm "the guy in the back office" that "we had to hire because he has the license". I'm not working for a union shop now, but the dollar signs were high enough that I couldn't pass up the chance to work for my present employer. I work with my tools from time to time, and the rest of the time I have people work for me.
One word of advice, if you are working for a company that is not putting you on jobs that will teach you a variety of things, tell the training director, and try to change jobs. If I had it to do over again, I would have changed jobs a lot more when I was an apprentice. I missed out on working some really good projects in our city because I was to loyal to the company. While you are an apprentice work for companies that will teach you the most. After you "turn out", then go "land" at company where you can "plant some roots", and build a career.
I don't regret going through the union apprenticeship school. One thing that I like is, if I get tired of my job, I can usually always find something else to do.
Good Luck,
Doc
