Glam, the only suggestion I can give you as far as skilling up the Automaton is to just get out there and fight. As long as you're fighting things stronger than the Automaton's skill, there will be skill ups. I've had PUP at 90 for months and my Auto Melee and Auto Ranged still isn't capped (but is damn close). Just keep at it. You'll get there.

To help you skill up though, try to find a Coiler (a drop from the NM Ob). It allows for and increases the double attack rate for melee swings, dependent on Thunder Maneuvers. On Sharpshot, utilize the Drum Magazine, if you have it, and offset the reduced ranged accuracy with the Scope. More frequent attacks = more chances at skillups.

Also, feel free to DD with Valoredge and Sharpshot. Learn how to use the Automatons inside and out (goes for Mage Frames too). While I will agree with Dfoley that the Burattinaios (Burts) is an amazing weapon, a lot of PUPs DD'd just fine without them and still do. If you get them, great, but they're not completely necessary for VE/SS as Dfoley is making them out to be.