Well the view of get a trade eg sparky or gas ect doesnt really help at the mo with the ways things are, But for me its the way to go. I say that as im an electrician but when things pick up it should see alot of the out of work trades men back in work. If you could find time to do a couple of days a week at college over a year then you can move into a trade.
The problem with doing any crash course is that you dont get any onsite training.

As you have and are doing alot in the way of body repairs then why dont you look at getting a qualification in that or painting?