OREANDA-NEWS. Consumers Energy is adding jobs in Michigan, hiring qualified workers to increase its workforce that responds to emergencies, enhances system reliability and restores electric service following storms.

Consumers Energy plans to hire 50 journeyman line workers by the end of 2016.

"Increasing our electric lines workforce is part of our promise to Michigan to work every day to deliver the energy customers need whenever they need it," said Cathy Hendrian, Consumers Energy's vice president of human resources. "In addition to new hires, we have expanded shifts to cover 16 hours a day, seven days a week to enhance our ability to restore electric interruptions safely and quickly. We are driving our already exemplary customer service to an even higher level."

Candidates must have a current Journeyman Line Worker Card to be considered for the journeyman electric line worker positions.

In addition to restoring electric service interruptions, Consumers Energy's electric line crews perform tasks such as upgrading and constructing electric distribution systems. Line crews work in all types of weather and during nights and weekends.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.