Philip
If you are looking for a SolidWorks community college class in New Jersey, try Mark Semmel - snipped-for-privacy@kfwa.com (Eastern Region SolidWorks users group), I believe there regional users group meetings are held at a community college in North Jersey. State community colleges are going to be the lowest cost, but be sure to check out any benefits as a veteran or through retraining offices in the state.
I would also look at the evening programs in technical high schools.
The department of retraining and unemployment may also be able to help by providing colleges in the area with specific courses. My college lists the CAD programs we offer through the agencies that assist people required to enhance their skill sets. Please note, to get money from the state requires substantial paperwork and a meeting with a school official usually in the financial aid office or with the instructor teaching a course or responsible for a program. Usually the unemployment official wants proof that learning SolidWorks will assist in getting you employment. A quick search on Monster board will usually show proof. Usually these programs for financial assistance are for a certficate program made up of a series of courses
- not just one class.
The SolidWorks personal edition is also available and training sessions are available with SolidWorks resellers in your area.
My publisher,
The online SolidWorks tutorials in Online help are also very good to utilize. Then comes practice - try to create parts, assemblies and drawings are your own. If you don't have a current project to work on
- make one up, Your engineering background gives you the knowledge - SolidWorks is the application.
Regards, Marie