Any hope that Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) has turned the corner and won’t need to make those deep job cuts after all has been snuffed out. Microsoft General Counsel Brad Smith said Monday that the company’s employment plans had not changed. In January, the company announced its first-ever mass layoff, cutting 1,400 employees and saying it would eliminate an additional 3,600 positions over the next 18 months. The company also said it would add 2,000 to 3,000 jobs in key areas, such as search. “There have been no changes to our outlook going forward,” Smith said.

Smith’s comments came as he officially launched a Microsoft initiative to help the unemployed learn basic tech skills. Microsoft is giving away one million free vouchers for software courses and certification exams. And, yes, both are for Microsoft products.

• Earnings: Microsoft Cutting Up To 5,000 Jobs; Q4 Net Income Down 11 Percent