DataWhizzes

Abstract

Young students learn how to teach and senior citizens learn new valuable skills - everyone is a winner! DataWhizzes is a concept developed in Jyväskylä City Library, Finland. DataWhizzes are students from the local vocational school, studying for the ICT Technician diploma. During the DataWhizzes period in libraries, the students complete their customer service internship in the field of information and communication technology. Students help seniors with their problems with different digital platforms. Practicing in a library, public space, allows for face-to-face customer service experience with people of different ages and backgrounds. The concept is easy to replicate. These face-to-face encounters help to understand a multi-valued society. These experiences were lacking during the coronavirus period. In this type of training, one´s own professional skills are seen in a new light and success is experienced. This is very important for young people who have no work experience in their field. It prevents exclusion.