Short Sales vs. Foreclosures -- Why bother when more work!!

Our company is stressing or over-stressing the need to move into the REO and Foreclosure market, as Atlanta has one of the highest incidence of Foreclosures in the Country.  The reasoning is that we are losing some 30% of the market that is selling right now by not participating.  I'm still reluctant to spend education time and energy learning a skill that I feel is limited to a few years.  Am I wrong?  In the Emory University and Atlanta close-in neighborhoods that I typically work, foreclosures are available, but not abundant.