Microsoft Corp. said Sunday that in response to the economic crisis it would sponsor an initiative to help train up to two million people in basic technology skills.

Pamela Passman, Microsoft's corporate vice president of global corporate affairs, announced the program at a meeting of the National Governor's Association in Washington D.C. this morning.

The three-year initiative, dubbed Elevate America, comes at an awkward moment for Microsoft.

Exactly one month ago, Microsoft embarked on the first mass layoffs in its history, cutting 1,400 people.

Nevertheless, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has continued to try to rally the public around the idea that the technology industry will be a driver of an eventual economic recovery. He has urged Congress to support new technical skills training for the unemployed.

With Elevate America, Passman said that Microsoft wanted to do its part to help workers acquire the technology skills they needed now and over the next decade.

So, Microsoft has created a new Web portal (visit it here) where visitors can learn what skills they lack and easily find resources to learn them.

On the site, they will also be able to access various Microsoft online training programs, in order to learn some basic skills, such as how to use the Internet, send e-mail and create a resume, according to a Microsoft statement.

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