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A skill is a non-magical ability learned and practiced. Most are passive, but by using SP (skill points), they can go into a temporary active state that increases their effects.
At level one, all effects are minor: a skill is learned, but far from mastered. With level one cooking, a person can reliably cook a simple meal they know the recipe for, and by using skill points, they can improve their chances of success at more difficult tasks or to experiment with a known recipe or ingredients.
Each time a person uses their skill points, they have a small chance of gaining one skill point (approximately a one-in-twenty chance). Skill points are regained by rest, and reflect on a person's ability to concentrate on the task at hand. Zero skill points means that a person is unable to concentrate on a task.
To raise skill levels requires intense study, experimentation, and practice. The first level of a skill gives a +2 modifier to rolls, and each skill level after it is a +1 modifier.
For those without a skill in a given task, they are still able to attempt it—and doing so repeatedly will help them to eventually learn that skill.