I started off by pestering a local photographer to act as their assistant - I did a lot of unpaid work to learn the ropes. within a couple of months I was getting paid to "assist' and within a year was the second photographer on a wedding. During this time I pestered to learn how to put wedding albums together and also learnt darkroom technique. (showing my age here!!!). Not long after that I was shooting weddings solo (with my own assistant!) and I think it was about 2 years from first pestering them to getting paid $500 for a Saturday's work.

I then applied for a job with a local paper, as a "darkroom tech" and worked there for 3 years. I didn't get a cadetship (shoulda applied!!) but I did some shadow-work and learnt a heap. Only one of the photographers had a degree in art - her photos were very diferent from the rest.

I guess it depends on what kind of photography you want to do.
weddings? portraiture? products? fashion? landscapes?

I do recommend you find someone near you and pester them to help - if you can afford it, don't ask for a wage, you'll find they will help you a lot cause they don' have to pay you, and then they will.

Oh, and if you're going to do a course, look at the state courses available for business - local councils often have community courses which are cheap and will help you with business plans. A business course might be more benefit if you already have the eye & flair, as it will help your business succeed.

Good luck.