JACKSON, MI (WTVB) – Consumers Energy is making significant strides to nurture the next generation of workers to support energy needs across Michigan. By prioritizing workforce development and training, the company is positioning itself to effectively meet the demands of its customers.
Over the past year, ending March 2025, Consumers Energy has hired or promoted more than 100 employees to its Journey Electric Lines team. This expansion is part of their broader strategy to cultivate talent through various apprenticeship and training programs.
Among the initiatives are the join school to work program, the Marshall Training Center, and Power 4 America, all aimed at enhancing skills for the workforce. Currently, there are 289 active electric line apprentices within Consumers Energy’s apprenticeship program as of March 17, 2025. These apprentices are receiving hands-on training, which equips them for high-demand roles within the industry.
Alongside the apprenticeship efforts, the company is also focusing on its Reliability Roadmap. This Roadmap, announced in 2023, outlines plans to bolster the electric infrastructure, including substation projects and underground electric lines. This initiative demonstrates Consumers Energy’s commitment to ensuring reliable power distribution.
The Reliability Roadmap aims for contentious targets, including restoring power to customers within 24 hours after outages. This goal showcases the company’s determination to improve service quality and operational efficiency across Michigan.
“By investing significantly in our workforce, we can not only meet the growing demands for reliable power but also cultivate skilled professionals who can sustain this industry for years to come,” said Consumers Energy representatives. The continuous development of training programs reflects the utility's aim to remain at the forefront of the energy sector.
Consumers Energy's workforce expansion and commitment to reliable power solutions come at a pivotal time when demand for electric services continues to rise due to increased population and industrial growth.
The company’s endeavors not only provide immediate support for its operations but also contribute to the long-term health of the energy distribution industry within Michigan. With many current employees nearing retirement age, projects such as the Reliability Roadmap will help both new and existing personnel adapt to modern challenges such as sustainability and advancing technology.
Each of these efforts aligns with the utility’s objective of fostering innovation within the industry and ensuring Michigan remains connected to reliable electricity now and well past the 21st century.
Consumers Energy is positioned to play a transformative role as it gradually reshapes its electric lines workforce and adapitates its systems to modern challenges. With the focus on training through new and established programs, the company stands ready to not only support its existing customer base but also to cultivate new relationships with future consumers.
Demonstrably, through training and additional hires, the company’s strategy intends to secure heightened operational reliability and to present itself as a significant player bolstering Michigan's electrical grid. The pathway to this future requires skilled workers, which Consumers Energy is diligently preparing.
By focusing on the development of its employees, Consumers Energy acts not merely as service providers, but as key contributors to community sustainability and technological advancements within the state.
