Redmond Will Still Cut 3,600 Jobs; Offers Free Training for Unemployed

Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith has confirmed to the press that Washington State’s Microsoft will cut 3,600 positions over the next 18 months.

That’s in addition to the 1,400 laid off in January.

The company will add up to 3,000 jobs in key areas, such as search technology.

Smith has launched a Microsoft initiative to help the unemployed learn basic technical skills. Microsoft is giving away one million free vouchers for software courses and certification exams for MS products.