Assistant Job or Tech Program first?

Maybe this is a silly question, but I’m trying to plan ahead for when my youngest kid starts school. Does anyone have thoughts/experience on working as an assistant and doing a distance tech program at the same time, versus doing a distance tech program first?

I know there’s the possibility that whichever practice I end up working for may offer to help with the cost of the tech program, but I’m more wondering if it would be beneficial to take the classes in the meantime.