With several decades of leadership experience in technical education, workforce capability development and industry skilling, Suresh will play a pivotal role in advancing CORE’s long-term vision of becoming a globally recognised university for renewable energy – a centre where education, research, innovation, industry collaboration and leadership development converge to create the talent that will power the global energy transition.

Earlier, Suresh has held leadership positions across learning and skill development functions at renowned organisations including Bosch India, Schaeffler, Tata Motors, ITM Vocational University and Symbiosis Skills & Professional University. Most recently, at BSA Group, he led industry-focused training programmes, established work-based dual-skilling models, and developed competency based learning frameworks aligned with National Skills Standards. Throughout his career, he has successfully designed and implemented large-scale workforce development, technical competency enhancement and organisational capability-building initiatives across multiple industries and functional domains.

In his new role, Suresh will lead the next phase of CORE’s growth by expanding industry-relevant, technology-driven and real-time skills development programmes. He will also strengthen strategic collaborations with industry, academia, government, Sector Skill Councils, training institutions and other stakeholders.

Commenting on the appointment, Col. (Dr.) Bharat Sharma, Executive Director, POWERCON Group, said: “As the renewable energy sector continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, building a strong pipeline of skilled professionals will be fundamental to sustaining this momentum. CORE was established to bridge the gap between industry requirements and workforce capabilities. Suresh Darade’s extensive experience in skills development, competency building and workforce transformation will help us accelerate this vision and strengthen our contribution towards developing the next generation of renewable energy professionals and leaders.”

Suresh Darade expressed: “I am honoured to join CORE, an institution founded by the renewable energy industry’s most respected professionals with a clear vision of building future-ready talent. As the energy transition gathers pace, developing a highly skilled workforce is one of the defining priorities of our time. Together with our industry, academic and government partners, we will strengthen competency-based, industry-driven learning programmes aligned with national and international skills frameworks. Our goal is to equip students, trainees and working professionals with the knowledge, practical skills and global competencies needed to be both job-ready and future-ready, while supporting the evolving talent needs of the renewable energy sector.”

Praveen Kakulte, Founder & CEO, POWERCON Group, said: “The renewable energy revolution is often measured in gigawatts, investments and technologies. Yet, its true success will ultimately be determined by the quality of the people who design, build, operate and continuously improve these assets.

At POWERCON, we believe the future of renewable energy will be shaped not only by world-class infrastructure, but by the world-class talent that powers it. This conviction led to establishment of the CORE – an institution envisioned to evolve into a globally recognised university dedicated exclusively to renewable energy & clean tech where education, applied research, innovation, industry collaboration and leadership development come together to shape the next generation of professionals. Suresh Darade’s appointment marks an important milestone in this journey. The future of clean energy will belong to nations that invest in people as much as they invest in technology, and CORE is our commitment to building that future.”

Having already trained, assessed and certified more than 6,000 students, technicians and renewable energy professionals, CORE has emerged as a trusted industry partner in developing skilled talent for the clean energy sector. Building on this foundation, CORE will expand its collaborations with industry, academia, government and global institutions to strengthen India’s renewable energy skills ecosystem. With a Skills-First Framework for Renewable Energy, CORE aims to create a globally competitive workforce, facilitate international talent mobility, and position India as a leading source of skilled professionals for the world’s rapidly growing renewable energy industry.

CORE Academy focuses on building a future-ready workforce in key domains such as Wind Energy, Solar PV Systems, Energy Storage, Pumped Hydro Storage, and Electrical Safety, all pivotal to India’s clean energy transition. The launch of Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma programs in Wind, Solar, and Safety in RE at YCMOU marks a significant step in making specialized skilling programs accessible to a wider and more diverse learner base. These programs blend academic depth with hands-on industry experience, ensuring learners gain both theoretical knowledge and practical exposure preparing “RE Commandos” who are immediately employable and industry-ready. 

The curriculum aligns with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Each course has been developed in-house by industry experts at POWERCON, combining the company’s extensive operational experience with globally benchmarked training practices. The programs cater to students, working professionals, and individuals seeking skill certification in RE technologies, with flexible course durations ranging from three months to one year.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Praveen Kakulte, CEO of The POWERCON Group, said, “We experienced a critical gap between what the RE industry needed and what training institutions delivered. So, CORE Academy was born to create programs designed by practicing engineers, not just educators. Today, we are proud to see our approach shaping professionals who are technically skilled, adaptable, and ready to thrive in a fast-evolving global RE industry.” 

CORE Academy has trained 6000+ students and facilitated placements across 25 leading RE companies. The partnership with YCMOU further strengthens the Academy’s reach and impact, enabling large-scale access to RE education and empowering the next generation of green energy professionals for India.