What is Cegos, the company of the debacle of the Generalitat opposition?

And this is the new law public functionLooks like it will be a lucrative business for companies like Cegos, with ‘macro exams’ across Spain. Companies like this profit from the lack of hands that administrations say they take to organize the processes involved, thus reducing high rates. possibility which has accumulated over decades. And for this he was censored by European justice on several occasions.

Cegos España Learning & Development, SA, a French company operating in Spain since 1952, won a total of 10.4 million euros in public tenders last year alone. According to the latest data available in the trade register, it generated a total revenue of 6.7 million euros in Spain in 2021. EL PERIÓDICO tried to contact the company to find out what was going on, but without success.

Among its clients, at the state level, ministry of industryHE Madrid’s UndergroundHE Bank of Spain wave Andalusian Junta. Studied or worked in Catalonia, for Barcelona Serveis Municipals (BSM) and the Open University of Catalonia (UOC). He also made recommendations to municipalities on the design of electoral processes, not as a regulator. Barcelona or Hospitalet de Llobregat.

First outsourcing, first fiasco

There is some bewilderment and bewilderment in the Catalan civil service about the chaotic day last weekend when more than 13,500 people had to wait for hours, in crowded classrooms, and in many cases without adequate exams, to take the exam. material. Many—many of them—will have to repeat their exams, risking whether to continue in a job where they spent years temporarily.

Unprecedented in the history of the opposition, it was not previously known to the unions that the person responsible for organizing the exams would be a private company. And so far all the processes have been undertaken by the Catalan administration itself, with people from home. “[La Generalitat] They do not have personal and financial means,” said the government spokesperson and apologized. Patricia Platjareported this Tuesday that the general manager has been sacked to purge his responsibilities.

Outsourcing the organization of exams is a resource that other institutions immersed in their own macro stabilization processes do not resort to. In response to questions from EL PERIÓDICO, both Barcelona City Council and City Council confirm that they are working on the tests internally. Although the size of the participants is smaller at the level.

It was expected that the ordinary opposition exams, in which 14,000 quotas will be opened in the coming months, will also be administered by Cegos. Generalitat is investigating how to terminate the contract in question.

Long history between administrations

Saturday’s fiasco contradicts the extensive experience of the responsible company, Cegos, in public administrations. Between 2022 and 2023, different State administrations signed contracts. Although it is true that this is the first time this company has undertaken such a large contract in Catalonia. And it will likely be the last, according to Generalitat’s response, which is investigating how to terminate the award, return the amount collected, and even impose a fine of at least 75,000 euros.

Among the contract lists, the list of publicly traded companies affiliated to the Ministry of Industry stands out, swallowvalue €4.7 million. It should provide a “support service” for the so-called election processes between 2022 and 2024. 900.000 € for selection of drivers and other personnel.

Another “vip” is the Valencian Association for the Comprehensive Management of Emergency Services (SGIS), a public company responsible for Valencia Country’s forest firefighters and also outsourcing public stabilization proposals. Cegos will get paid for it €609,915.26 (without VAT) to organize similar oppositions to the Catalan opposition in the coming months, with different results as stated by the organisation.