Finland Times

 

File Photo – Lehtikuva.

Few candidates for parliament were interested in testing their digital skills before the elections. The test was undertaken by Tieke, an Information Society Development Centre.

 

The results were inconsequent: less than six per cent of candidates participated in the test. Both the Conservative Party (Kokoomus) and the Centre Party (Keskusta) completely ignored the programme. Because of the low turnout, an overall picture of the digital skills and knowledge of the candidates could not be obtained.

 

“Those who responded had good or even excellent skills,” said Tieke expert Hanna Vuohelainen. “The lukewarm interest could be due to the flood of information that candidates are subjected to during an election campaign.”

 

The test for parliamentary candidates measured their basic knowledge of information and communication technologies as well as skills required for employment.

 

“There seems to be a bit of a sore point in admitting incompetence in the basics, which is a pity. There should be no shame. Advances and development [in technology] move forward so quickly that no one can stay on top of everything,” said Vuohelainen.