Harrap's New Shorter English-French/French-English Dictionary, Ed. 1982, states,
skill
n
1. habileté f, adresse f, dextérité f; technical skill, habileté, aptitude f, technique; compétence f technique; skill in doing sth, (i) talent m, habileté f, pour faire qqch.; (ii) art m de faire qqch.; lack of skill, maladresse f, inhabileté f.
2. North American: métier; art m pratique.
Question is, considering that "métier" carries quite a lot of nuances in French (as you can see in the links below), and that "art pratique" (lit. "practical art") is a vague phrase and, as such, sounds kind of confusing as to what is actually meant, what exactly is that North American meaning of "skill" supported here by British Harrap?
Also, if that second sense of "skill" actually is specific to North American English, what would be the British English equivalent for it?
métier
- Exercice d'un art mécanique. Le métier de cordonnier, de tailleur, de serrurier, de tisserand, etc. Apprendre, savoir, avoir, exercer un métier. Il est maçon de son métier.
(Practice of a mechanical craft. The trade of shoemaker, tailor, locksmith, weaver, etc. Learn, be proficient in, have, follow a trade. He's a mason by trade.)
- Habileté d'exécution, mais rien de plus, en parlant de la peinture, de la sculpture ; le talent acquis de vaincre facilement la matière. Avoir du métier.
(Skill of execution, but nothing more, with reference to painting, sculpture; the acquired talent to easily vanquish matter. To have skill/technique.)
A. − Activité manuelle ou mécanique nécessitant l'acquisition d'un savoir-faire, d'une pratique.
(Manual or mechanical occupation requiring the acquisition of a savoir-faire, of a practical skill.)
D. − Par métonymie. Habileté, savoir-faire dans la production ou l'exécution manuelle ou intellectuelle acquise par l'expérience, la pratique que confère un métier ou une activité permanente.
(By metonymy. Skill, know-how in the manual/intellectual production or execution acquired through experience and practice in a regular trade or occupation.)
skill
n.
a. Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience: painted with great skill.
b. A developed talent or ability: improved his writing skills.
c. An art, trade, or technique, particularly one requiring use of the hands or body: the skill of glassmaking.
Synonyms: skill, art, craft, expertise, know-how, technique These nouns denote great ability in doing or performing that is attained especially by study or practice: a shortstop legendary for his fielding skill; mosaics rendered with exquisite art; pottery that reveals an artist's craft; a woodworker with special expertise in parquet floors; mechanical know-how; played the violin with impeccable technique.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2011
n
special ability in a task, sport, etc, esp ability acquired by training
something, esp a trade or technique, requiring special training or manual proficiency
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014
n.
the ability, coming from one's knowledge, practice, aptitude, etc., to do something well: Carpentry was one of his many skills.
competent excellence in performance; expertness; dexterity: The dancers performed with skill.
a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience: the skill of cabinetmaking.
Random House Dictionary, © 2011