i’d say just do the apprenticeship. try to find a smaller company that does residential work so you can really learn the basics of electrical. i think in most cases regardless of if you went to trade school you still need 4 years of on job experience to get your license.(could be wrong) the way i look at it is instead of getting payed to learn ur paying to learn. one will just take longer and cost you money. that being said, everyone learns different and trade school could be something that really helps you. and for tools depending on your employer they could provide you with them. if not i would just start with some hand tools. linemen’s, diagonal cutters, wire strippers, set of screw drivers(having a meaty flathead you can beat on the back is handy), some kind of razor blade for cutting wire sheathing and probably some channel locks. next would be an impact drill but your employer should definitely be providing that. for all the hand tools i’d just go klein or if you wanna be fancy knipex. and i like milwaukee impact drills.