check out ABARIS training at abaris.com. I have taken two of their composite repair courses and the tooling course. They are extremely knowledgeable and stay current on process and material development. The training is broken up into in class and shop practical exercises and i learned a lot...
I agree with Romefu12. If you are smart and mechanically inclined there are many opportunities to work with a high tech organization on the leading edge of some new technologies, like composites for example. Aviation is a highly regulated industry with very little room for 'creative license'...
I think you have left out some important details about your future venture. What exactly are you planning to do in your new shop? Are you geared to a specific market, industry or product? Your analogy of the Automotive shop is a good one, for example are you going to be a full service center...