Switching computer languages isn't a new trade. That would be an extension of your existing business that you were qualified for. It's exactly the type of thing that the deduction is designed to cover. Now if you went to take flying lessons with the goal of becoming a pilot rather than a programmer, that would be a new trade/business.
Do you have enough self-employment income or itemized deductions that this will actually make any difference?
By the way, as a person who has spent 40 years in the software industry, if you are on the .NET versions of VB, I'd suggest learning C# on yoru own. It's an easy switch from VB.NET. From there you can start taking class in C or C++ and other API skill sets.
Good luck.

