Company behind opposition debacle in Catalonia fined at least 75,000 euros
Cegos España Learning & Development, SA, a French company active in Spain since 1952, secured a total of 10.4 million euros in public tenders last year. Public records show it generated about 6.7 million euros in Spain in 2021. Attempts to reach the company for comment were not successful.
Its client list at the national level includes the Ministry of Industry, the Madrid regional administration, the Bank of Spain, and the Andalusian regional government. Individuals connected with Catalonia, Barcelona Serveis Municipals and the Open University of Catalonia have been associated with its activity. The company also issued recommendations to municipalities on designing electoral processes, not in a regulator role.
First outsourcing, first fiasco
In Catalonia, civil service officials expressed surprise and concern over a chaotic weekend when more than 13,500 people waited for hours in crowded rooms and many encountered inadequate testing material. A number of examinees will likely need to retake exams, jeopardizing careers built over years of temporary work.
This marks an unprecedented moment, as the organization of exams shifted to a private provider for the first time. Traditionally, the Catalan administration handled these processes with internal staff. Government representatives acknowledged the strain on resources and vowed accountability, with a general manager removed from duties to take responsibility for the situation.
Outsourcing the exam organization is not standard practice for many institutions involved in large stabilization efforts. In response to press inquiries, Barcelona City Council and the City Council stated that they are handling tests internally, though the scale remains significant for local administrations.
It was anticipated that the routine opposition exams, which will open about 14,000 quotas in the coming months, would also be managed by Cegos. The Generalitat is examining how to terminate the contract in question and recover the funds already disbursed.
Long history between administrations
Saturday’s events contrast with Cegos’ extensive experience working with public administrations. Between 2022 and 2023, various state bodies signed contracts with the firm. This marks the first time the company has undertaken such a large engagement in Catalonia and the Generalitat has indicated it may be the last. The administration is exploring options to terminate the award, recover the money, and possibly sanction the firm with a minimum 75,000 euro fine.
Among the contracts, a notable portion was linked to the Ministry of Industry, with a distribution of about 4.7 million euros for providing support services related to election processes between 2022 and 2024. Another major allocation included 900,000 euros for the recruitment of drivers and other staff roles.
A separate case involves the Valencian Association for the Comprehensive Management of Emergency Services, a public entity overseeing Valencia’s forest firefighters. The firm is also involved in outsourcing stabilization proposals, with a reported payment of 609,915.26 euros (excluding VAT) for organizing future Catalan opposition exams, though outcomes may vary as noted by the organization.
Public administrations across Spain have faced scrutiny over how outsourcing is used to handle large-scale recruitment and examination tasks. Observers note that while efficiency can improve, transparency and accountability must remain central to any outsourcing arrangement to protect public interests and ensure fair processes for all candidates.
Overall, the episode has sparked debate about the balance between private sector involvement and public responsibility in the administration of critical tests. Officials are now assessing lessons learned and considering safeguards to prevent similar disruptions in future election and recruitment processes.