The program, called Athena, aims to increase by 45,000 the number of techies not working at Microsoft who are certified as proficient or expert with the company's products. Those technologists will be able to provide technical support to Microsoft's enterprise customers.

Targeted at entry-level jobs such as technology specialist and other high-in-demand roles, the $30 million multi-year program will double Microsoft's investment in partner training from last year.

IDC Corp. released a forecast in March stating that a "pervasive" lack of talent by 2010 would limit the ability of IT service providers to grow their companies.