Al, I'm kinda in the same boat as you, except I'm and old fella. I went to welding school around 1998 for about a year and it was good. Depends on what kind of welding your wanting to do. Production, Pipe, structural?? They will teach you the basics and you can use up their welding rod/wire and metal. I myself have been checking with the local Ironworkers/Pipefitters and Boilermakers. You work, they pay you and then you do training for 4-5 years and then your a journeyman which pays good. This way you can make money getting OJT and get the free training to boot. No big college bills to pay off in the future and so on. Just an option, good luck!