Hi Andy welcome to the site.
Have you tried The Black Country Museum yes I know its right on your doorstep, if not go to the garage and have a chat to the volunteers there. From what I see on their website they don't have any vacancies but I found that the guys doing restoration work are only too pleased to talk, and you may be what their looking for.
The Black Country Motor Company
http://www.bclm.co.uk
The Motor Company volunteers meet on a weekly basis at the Museum to maintain and restore the Museum’s collection of vintage vehicles and to regularly operate the vehicles around the Museum village.
and by way of a course that's value for money.
Bill Longyard went to MPH Motor Panels in Liskard Cornwall while on a trip over here, mainly wheeling, they do 2 and 5 day course. Check out Geoff Moss video filmed by Bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6GTMAMUee4
http://www.mphmotorpanels.com/ Try clicking Bill's Bugatti top right hand corner, another masterpiece.