Reasons for leveling lockpicking?

[babasheep]

Is it worth it to level lock picking even though you can break chests/doors, even using unbreakable throwing weapons from far away to avoid alerting anyone? Not to mention there's also an unlocking spell.

[Muro]

Breaking containers and opening them with magic is loud, whereas lockpicking is silent (particularly when combined with sneak). Either method is fine in dungeons and such, whereas lockpicking has the advantage in crowded (people nearby) and small (can't create enough distance) spaces such as people's homes or public buildings.

[WabbaCat]

Another thing to consider, is if your stealing from a merchant and you break that chest; you can kiss that shopkeeper goodbye, as well as forget about repeat stealing.

At least, thats how I remember it working.

[Mindaz The Third]

Lockpicking let's you be silent and unlock stuff without breaking it. If you break stuff, it will be gone for good, such as shopkeepers chests.
Unlocking spell is almost useless if you are a tech oriented person, since it's chance is based on your magic aptitude. Also it makes noise. There are stuff that cannot be opened with spells, same as stuff that cannot be opened with lockpicks. Magically locked stuff cannot be opened with lockpicks and there are stuff that cannot be unlocked via magic.

[ThatBad]

Also most (if not every) skill which you train from apprentice to master will have expert and master skill level quests, iirc the persuasion one was really cool and challenging.