PRACTICAL skills are just as important as academics, according to Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Phillip Watts.

Speaking at the recommissioning of the Los Bajos Youth Development Centre on July 15, Watts told members of the community that developing skills was a safeguard for the future.

"In a world that is evolving rapidly, academic success is just one path. Practical skills, life skills, and creative skills are equally powerful. Whether you're learning how to weld, start a business, braid hair, or manage an event — you are developing tools that can build a life of purpose."