I know people have talked about this before, but I was unable to find a cohesive post on this in the suggestion forum.(Updating the current search feature is a suggestion in its own).
Suggestion:
#1 Create general skill classes that would modify all the sub skills.
#2 Place all the current skills under the general skill classes.
*With the possible exceptions of things like mining. Maybe it could become the general skill, and have sub skills such as quarrying, gem extraction, ore extraction, and whatever else under that. If we didn't want mining to become an orphan skill.
Example:
Create A Black smith Profession general skill level.
Have the Black smith skill modify Armor smithing, Furnace Operating, Metal Crafting, Metal Furniture Making, and Weapon Crafting.
So if Someone was a legendary Black Smith, but had never made A Suit of armor before, they would have much more ability to do so than the peasant who has never touched a forge before.
This could also be implemented for military skills.
If someone had a legendary General Military skill, and they had no skill with an ax, It could modify their ax wielding skill up to represent that even though they had never used it before they still understand the principles and basics of warfare and would do far better then (once again) the untrained peasant.
If someone wanted to suggest some decent general names I think it would add some realism and perhaps even some fun to the game.