Need Counsel!!!

[Dmartbmg]

Hey there,
my name is David, and I really need some counsel.
I was working for a small imports company that had a patent on a vending machine. Due to financial issues with the company that was handling our manufacturing, we were forced to buy them out and take over production. During this transition, we took on 2 managers from the production company to help us continue on with the manufacturing as smoothly as possible.
Things were going very well, and I was learning a lot. The only CNC experience I had was from several years ago, where I was running a machine that personalized plastic cards. So, our Amada Pega 244 CNC punch press, and our DiArco press brake were very impressive to me(and they still are!). I will say this, however; the company that we took over... well, they were running a real sleazy operation, and everything they did was shoddy. We were and still are putting the pieces together from the collapse of a business that used to have potential.
So, about four months into our move/merger, both of the two managers from the old company decided they were going to move to different states, in order to be with their families. In the meantime, the new warehouse we had moved into was still being partially occupied by the previous tenant, as he was in the process of auctioning off his machinery. When the two managers left, almost all of our inventory and most of our equipment was still packed up, waiting for the old tenant to move out.
My boss, who is a good man, likes to make money. So, when we learned that we were losing the only two people in our company who had any idea of how to run a metal shop, he looked for the best solution to our problem. Apparently, I was it.
The manager that left who was the actual machinist had a lot of confidence in me. I can't say how good he was at his job, because I really dont know, but I was very impressed by him. He told me multiple times, "David, I know that if you work hard, you can run this shop with four guys." I believed him, and I still do. So did my boss.
So, here I am. I don't know if I'm humble or prideful, but I learned how manufacture our machines from start to finish in 3 months. I still have a LOT of kinks to work out, but the four of us on the floor can still do what was being done for the past six years.
So here is my plea:
With no one here to teach me the things I need to learn, what do I do?!? I want to do well, but given my current circumstances, my growth is so limited!
We are starting a new project, a new vending machine, and my boss wants me to have one at a trade show this coming June(2010).
I don't have any training... I am a high school drop-out.
We use ProFab... does anyone know the best way for me to learn how to use it? It is not likely that my boss would pay for me to go to school right now(or that he would even see it as necessary).
Do I need to know how to use SolidWorks?
Does anyone have recommendations on the best way to learn more about circuitry and programming(to the extent that vending machines would utilize?)
I guess what I am ultimately asking is:
Knowing what you all know now, what would you suggest I do to keep from drowning here?
I know that the knowledge and expertise of this field is only gained over time, and through painstaking education...
Am I sore out of luck?

I appreciate any input...

[CNCRim]

Hire new manager that know what they are doing, of couse they will demand little but I guess you don't have much choice.

[Dmartbmg]

I do believe that may be the best answer...
However, nobody likes to not be in charge(unless it is damaging them to be).

[RICHARD ZASTROW]

You might consider hiring a temporary "consultant". Is there a retired person in the area who is familiar with the processes employed at your shop? The "consultant" could be your mentor to bring you up to speed.

I'm sure the mentor would be happy to help and then get out of your way. It's kinda like being a grandparent. You can enjoy the grandchildren then they go home to irritate the parents. LOL

Dick Z