I had an apprenticeship back in Holland, when i started. Moved to Ireland, learning by myself, the hard way. There are some shops that will give me friendly advise, but won't use me. Lol. Maybe because I'm 63 now and 1 shop because it was an all female shop. Or the shop is a single studio. I should be a wet dream for any tattoo education shizzle. Saying, if we can teach this old guy tattoo we can teach everyone. My opinion is an apprenticeship is handy, because you can benefit from years of experience. Plus you have a soundboard of what could work and what not. And help you with designing and stuff. I've been an artist for many of years now and mostly working alone. So an extra pair of eyes is always welcome. Doing it alone will cost you more time and mistakes that you make will be hard to get rid off. But that's with a good apprenticeship. Online you can learn only so much and there's a lot of bullshit being sold. If you don't know what to ask, you won't ask the right stuff. Some one looking over your shoulder is super valuable.