COLUMBIA – When college is not the answer, it can be a challenge to find the skills needed to elevate or change the work environment.

Job Point in Columbia celebrated its 2024 graduation of 51 students Thursday afternoon at the Columbia College Brouder Science Center, the organization provides trade skills and vocational training for adults.

Job Point focuses on young adults who may have dropped out of school and are facing challenges in completing their education.

“And our whole focus is to help people either get training that leads to a job or help them with where they’re at right now to get a job, and most importantly to keep it,” explained Job Point President, John Scalise.

It hasn’t been an easy journey for several of the graduates who walked across the stage Thursday night.

Jannette Johnson a construction and warehouse trade graduate, dropped out of high school at 18 and made the tough decision to leave Job Point for a short stint due to personal reasons.

Johnson says despite the setbacks she was determined to get her education still.

“I told myself I had one goal because I dropped out at 18, so I had one goal to get back to school and get that diploma, I was determined even though through life things were thrown at me that kind of knocked me off, I made sure to keep calling and following that path,” Johnson said.

She says the organization’s impact on her is something she will carry with her as she begins her career.

“They have done and changed so much in my life, and they have helped me through so much.”

Ayumi Wardrip, an accounting and office technology graduate says she was left without family support when she began her education journey at Job Point but has found support through her peers and teachers.

“I haven’t had a whole lot of family support in the last five, six, seven years, and so coming here without that support network, it meant the world to me, because without that support network, I honestly don’t know where I would have ended up.”

Wardrip says that support encouraged her to finish her education.

“Even with your struggles they’re like you can do this, and they will not let you fail, they refuse to let you fail.”