In my location, some conductors were forced to engineer school with less than a year on the job. Though back in the older days you could hire out into engine service, you spent quite a bit of time as a fireman learning the craft before being quailified as an engineer.
I'd suggest leaving it on the backburner and don't even look at the control stand until you have a few years under your belt. The training itself is typically awarded by bid, based on your senority. Classes for a location can be 6-12 people at a time, and your still looking at getting cut back to a conductor when times are slow due to flowback agreements. The amount of conductors that can go to engine school will depend on location, attrition, business and your senority.
Learn the ground job well first, and learn it well. You will end up being a mentor to new conductors and they will look to you for guidence when making setouts and pickups that they may have not done before, etc.
