I need the English word for when you train to become better at something, and checking my bilingual dictionary, I get the word "skills development". However, I thought "skill" refers primarily to an ability to do a concrete, practical job or activity, something that seems to be supported by dictionaries – for instance, Cambridge dictionary gives examples such as "writing skills", "skill at/in sewing", "skill as a painter" etc. So, now I'm wondering whether the compound ("skills development") has a broader meaning, so that it can be used about all kinds of competence-enhancing training – not only training in practical kinds of work – or whether there is another word that I should use for more abstract learning?

I need the English word for when you train to become better at something, and checking my bilingual dictionary, I get the word "skills development". However, I thought "skill" refers primarily to an ability to do a concrete, practical job or activity, something that seems to be supported by dictionaries – for instance, Cambridge dictionary gives examples such as "writing skills", "skill at/in sewing", "skill as a painter" etc. So, now I'm wondering whether the compound ("skills development") has a broader meaning, so that it can be used about all kinds of competence-enhancing training – not only training in practical kinds of work – or whether there is another word that I should use for more abstract learning?

An example would be training to increase your competence as a counselor or pshychologist.