The Foley Belsaw course is the most recognized course in the industry so if I were to take one, that would be it.
As you stated though, you will not beat experience gained in th field. If it were me I would enroll with foley belsaw and finish the course. After that I would take your certificate around to local locksmith shops and inquire about openings for an apprentice. Your best chances is to offer that while you are in your apprenticeship your payment will be the skills you learn or if you cannot do that, offer a very low hourly rate or even a low flat rate per week etc.
Be sure you read up/study about masterkey systems and how to properly set one up by hand and be able to explain the fundamentals of the whys and hows. If you have a duplicator or have access to one then practice duplicating different types of keys properly. Also read up on and really practice impressioning. Those are very good skills to walk into a shop with.
If you can walk into a shop with a foley belsaw certificate and sufficient skills in the items I posted above then you will have no problems landing a good apprenticeship.
Good luck
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