---
title: "Add a skill"
slug: "add-a-skill"
tags: ["Totara Perform", "How-to", "Site Administrator", "Totara Learn", "Skills"]
updated: 2026-08-13T16:01:31Z
published: 2026-08-13T16:01:31Z
canonical: "totara.help/add-a-skill"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add a skill

Skills (or skill items as they are sometimes called) are the individual skills that sit within a [skill framework](/totara-20/docs/create-a-competency-framework).

To add a skill, follow these steps:

1. Go to *Quick-access menu > Skills*.
2. Click on the name of the skill framework in which you would like to add a skill item.
3. Click the **Add new skill** button.
4. Configure the [skill settings](/totara-20/docs/competency-settings) as required.

![New skill form showing fields for framework, name, ID number, description, type, scale, and assignment options.](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-XH15PEW6.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A41%3A45Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A41%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=RiPQxU0Nh4Bcs0u9DwTl%2F1yiyGH0HRpMQ9Ywv0K7H3Q%3D)
5. Click **Save changes**.

Your new skill now appears in the selected skill framework.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/image-2NZ8Q8TF.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A41%3A45Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A41%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=RiPQxU0Nh4Bcs0u9DwTl%2F1yiyGH0HRpMQ9Ywv0K7H3Q%3D)

You can also add skills via [bulk action](/totara-20/docs/bulk-add-competencies) or using [HR import](/totara-20/docs/what-is-hr-import).

## Next steps

- [Edit a skill](/totara-20/docs/edit-a-competency)

![Course badge](https://cdn.document360.io/a007399b-031e-436b-999a-528240e16f58/Images/Documentation/course-badge__competencies-in-totara-perform.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-06T06%3A41%3A45Z&se=2026-11-06T07%3A41%3A45Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=RiPQxU0Nh4Bcs0u9DwTl%2F1yiyGH0HRpMQ9Ywv0K7H3Q%3D)Why not visit the Totara Academy for our latest course on [Skills](https://totara.community/mod/page/view.php?id=24498) in Totara. Here you can learn more on how to use skills, see best practice, and give it a go yourself.

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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