Technically you can miss this simply by not spending any of the skill points. You can get this in either Single Player or Multiplayer.
Single Player:
You should level up through Case Zero. Chances are more likely as you're making your way through the military base by yourself after separating from Vick, you should get a skill point and allows you to socket it to one of the four fields when you get your first blueprint too.
Multiplayer:
You're able to level up much faster with the speed of PP you get from missions and killing things. No specific point will have you get a point earlier, but through playing it you should get it during Episode One.
The purpose of the skill points are to make your time in Willamette much more enjoyable, so never be afraid to spend the points. When you complete all trials and get to level 100, you should have enough to acquire all skills (outside of skill manuals).