Steamgunner,
Just my two cents worth, but most of the video courses are (in my mind) armorer courses more than gunsmithing courses. They teach how a particular firearm works, how to disassemble it and how to repair the more commonly broken parts.
"Gunsmith" (in my mind) is an oft over used title these days. I once had a "gunsmith" stir up a conversation with me one year at SHOT, and actually asked me "Hey, I need a .357 Automag reamer. You wouldn't happen to know where I could get one, do you?". I about fell over in shock, especially since we were standing 20 feet from the PTG booth. He wasn't arrogant, or high & mighty per se, but did introduce himself as a "gunsmith".
Be that as it may, I guess the question you'd need to ask yourself is: Do you intend to do this for a living?
The answer to that should drive your decision. If this is for fun or as a hobby, I'd wager the video courses are well enough. If you plan to house, feed and cloth you and yours with this profession, I'd recommend a more traditional trade school where they teach basics often left out of the videos. Things like how to fit buttpads, sling swivels, bedding etc in the shortest amount of time possible... (these are the things that keep the lights on and pay the bills).
A traditional school will also delve into the finer skills not oft covered in videos (checkering, making your own checkering tools, layout, basic metal working, chambering, engraving etc.).
I guess in my mind, a true gunsmith can make a functioning rifle from a scrap sewer pipe, round metal stock and 4x6" fence post (if they had to), and actually make it look somewhat respectable.
OAN, I agree with the comment about attitude being more important than anything. My mentor got me into gunsmithing when I, one day, just decided I was going to figure this "whole bedding thing" out myself. He jokingly tells people now "Yep, I saw him say that and thought 'Now that man has the passion!'". He's become quite a good and close friend along the way as well... His mentorship showed me that while I enjoy gunsmithing, it is a tough and unforgiving profession for most, and that while I could make a living at it, there were other, more comfortable, professions that would pay more than enough to take care of my family and still let me tinker and play with a lathe, mill and such.
JMCTW...
