There is a looming black hole in HR, careers advice and skills development that could blight a generation. HR professionals, in particular, will be facing some of the most challenging conditions seen in the UK since the 1930s.

The UK government wants to help but funds are limited. It wants people to embrace the idea of the Big Society and take action, but what are the commercial and social drivers, and how can HR professionals respond effectively over the next five to ten years?

Two main challenges are a clear skills gap, with employers struggling to find, engage with and select the most suitable candidates while there is the prospect of a million people unemployed through government cuts over the next five years. As an adjunct, education faces significant budget reductions as do the public sector careers advice services.

In this tough environment, companies will lean heavily on HR departments to manage more effective outreach that not only guides those being made redundant but also harnesses better ways to collaborate with constituent groups and communities.

HR centres are likely to become the regenerative hub of many companies, building new conduits for participation and partnerships with other departments that will fuel the employment and retention with the development of applicants, internal employees, student populations and community interest groups.

Education challenges
Research shows that young people believe that the careers guidance system has let them down at every level, from choosing the right school courses, to guidance on the best degree course or vocational training to graduates who have not been advised properly about their career choices.

The stark facts for employers are:

• 200,000 young people with the right grades failed to get into university this year. How will they make the right choices? How do employers engage with them?
• Cuts mean that up to 500,000 people in the public sector will lose their jobs over the next five years. What happens to them?
• Analysts have predicted a similar number losing their jobs in the private sector. Where do they go for guidance and advice?
• Young people say that the UK careers advice system is failing them
• Prime minister David Cameron says that the current Connexions careers advice system is not working
• Careers advice services in schools/colleges do the best they can but research this year shows that they are failing

Deirdre Hughes, 2010 president of the Institute of Career Guidance, believes that a solution is found in better online careers services and engagement. This should also benefit hard-pressed HR departments looking for precise and cost-effective ways to find recruits, guide staff and help those who are moving on.

In a discussion on Radio 4’s You & Yours programme with Alun Baker, founder of careers social network WYGU.com, Dr Hughes lamented the Connexions cuts but also felt that career platforms such as WYGU had a strong role to play in the evolution of careers advice.

She said: "I think it’s really to understand that the web is there and so many of us use it in our everyday lives. The important thing is making sure that individuals can cope with the volume of information and the differing websites. There are many organisations that are beginning to produce online careers resources and as an Institute, we greatly welcome that."

In the discussion, Alun Baker emphasised big differences between social network careers advice/HR platforms like WYGU.com and the Connexions service, likening his development to "a Facebook for careers". 

Alun told listeners that the aim is to provide precise guidance for people of all ages, from starting out to changing and developing careers – "what people want is to connect with experts, to talk to the right people in those fields".

However, HR professionals need to know that these resources are safe, secure and effective. Dr Hughes emphasised that earlier online careers websites had highlighted the need for quality, safety and security.

In that context, Skills Minister John Hayes recently announced initiatives to build confidence in the mixed-sector approach. Options include a new kite mark to recognise best career guidance services or a register of providers who meet highest standards.

John Hayes says: "Everyone knows that impartial advice is always the best advice. But that independent advice must also be underpinned by professional expertise. I want to re-professionalise the careers service and create an environment in which careers guidance is recognised for the important public good it is, in which young people, adults, schools, colleges, universities and whole communities see its value, use it and invest in it."

So, can online platforms redefine the careers advice terrain and give HR professionals the relevant engagement, conversion and continued guidance tools they will need in the next troubled decade?

Time and experience will narrate that story but it is certain that the black hole in careers advice and HR needs to be sealed before it sucks the life out of the UK economy. Effective online resources will play a significant part in that healing.