Microsoft: Lack of tech workers approaching 'genuine crisis'

Microsoft unveiled a lobbying push to produce more applicants with the skills to fill technology and engineering jobs. The proposal would boost visas for high-skilled foreign workers and invest millions of dollars in federal funding for education.

Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel and executive vice president, said at a press briefing that the lack of qualified job applicants is "approaching the dimensions of a genuine crisis" for tech companies. He said Microsoft has 3,400 open jobs for researchers, developers and engineers — an increase of 34 percent over last year. "We fear jobs will start to migrate to other countries," Smith said, adding that other countries are putting a higher priority than the United States on preparing students for high-skill jobs.