diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index 818502f..b2cc263 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ app.config["KI_LDAP_BASE_DN"] = os.getenv("KI_LDAP_BASE_DN")
 
 CORS(app)
 db = SQLAlchemy(app)
-migrate = Migrate(app, db)
+migrate = Migrate(app, db, compare_type=True)
 
 logging.debug("Hello from KI")
 
diff --git a/ki/models.py b/ki/models.py
index 1347e8e..c4bac66 100644
--- a/ki/models.py
+++ b/ki/models.py
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ class Skill(db.Model):
     __tablename__ = "skill"
 
     id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True)
-    name = Column(String(25), unique=True, nullable=False)
+    name = Column(String(50), unique=True, nullable=False)
 
     profiles = relationship("ProfileSkill", back_populates="skill")
     searchtopics = relationship("ProfileSearchtopic", back_populates="skill")
diff --git a/migrations/versions/b5023977cbda_extend_skill_length_to_50_chars.py b/migrations/versions/b5023977cbda_extend_skill_length_to_50_chars.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..30e181b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/migrations/versions/b5023977cbda_extend_skill_length_to_50_chars.py
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+"""extend skill length to 50 chars
+
+Revision ID: b5023977cbda
+Revises: 459520b01f34
+Create Date: 2021-11-22 20:07:19.188217
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision = 'b5023977cbda'
+down_revision = '459520b01f34'
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+
+def upgrade():
+    with op.batch_alter_table("skill") as batch_op:
+        batch_op.alter_column('name',
+                existing_type=sa.VARCHAR(length=25),
+                type_=sa.String(length=50),
+                existing_nullable=False)