In my region, I am seeing other electricians billing out at $125 per person, 2 person minimum and a 2 hour minimum.If you are not comfortable witha 50% deposit for a trade, I suggest you drop everything and start an apprenticeship.

Jonathan  Real Estate guru seminars are born out of MLM.. its the exact same techniques instead of selling soap they are selling dreams and  education.. there is huge money In the guru business and selling information that others don't have and or don't want to put in their apprenticeships to learn.And for whatever reason real estate hits  a cord with many that this is a way to financial freedom and quit your day job etc.. nothing could be further from the truth.. a successful career as a RE agent broker is a lot of work and takes years.. to be a successful investor you usually need to be successful in your day job so you earn and save money so you can buy investment grade RE... simple as that.

Then once I complete an apprenticeship and make better pay, I can start funding buying rental properties. 

Partner with a great real estate agent like myself :) that specializes in investments or partner with an experienced investor and offer to do some work in exchange for an apprenticeship.

He also started an apprenticeship program I'm thinking of signing up for. 

Use that info to seek them out and ask for a mentorship or apprenticeship if you provide something of value in return. good luck.

Being a contractor is another thing that usually requires licensing and, in many places, requires a period of apprenticeship.  

The issue here is, aside from the (approximately 1 year) education, there is a 2 year apprenticeship requirement. 

Apprenticeships?

I have an opportunity to take advantage of a program that will allow me to participate in an intership or apprenticeship in a career path I would like to pursue after I leave the military.