I went through a local apprenticeship for low voltage electrical work (telecommunications), where I worked side by side with electricians, and other trades.

JV partner then paid electrician another $4k(?)

I am an electrician by day but hope that one day investing can replace that career.

Even if you are just putting up and taking down real estate signs it would let you get familiar with the local market and make some connections.If you aren't interested in college at all, I would look at learning a trade that would be beneficial in real estate investing - plumbing, carpentry, electrician, etc.  

We have had contractors bill for "electrician" but person wasn't licensed so we renegotiated. 

I'm an Electrician here in the Bay Area.

If you can become a plumber, or electrician,  or learn HVACs-- think of how much better that would align with your goals of real estate?    

I bought a nice apt building because the owner was so fed up paying electricians to go flip breakers and plumbers to hand-tightening sink drain traps.

I invest time to maintain good relationships with my handymen, electrician, HVAC, Plumber, and carpenters, so that when I need them, Im not just another job to them. 

Around my area we are supposed to use licensed electricians, plumbers and roofers, period.