Young chappy many moons ago I did a Pre Appy at Midland TAFE. It was a very good course and I did well enough to land a good Appyship before it ended but did finish said course.
I have travels this country zig zagged all over got licence and did the same again but a few other countries too. I was lucky and got into senior positions young, I made for the industry pretty bloody good $'s and much more when O/S.
But times they change, I can not recommend to you to follow the path I took. Things are going to be a bit tough for a good while as what I see. I'm shutting my doors next week after 10 years starting and running my maintenance company. Don't think I have any regrets on what I did, I would do it all over again but I must change like the industry is.
Best of luck CJ.