Uncertainty among employers and UGT, who are waiting for the State Attorney's Office to rule on the canceled courses

CEOE, Cepyme, and UGT are currently uncertain about the impact of the Supreme Court’s annulment of the royal decree-law that granted them subsidies for digitalization courses. These subsidies, totaling up to 30.6 million euros, were awarded directly by the government in December, bypassing the competition. However, following the court ruling, it is unclear whether the courses should continue or not.

The Ministry of Education, responsible for these subsidies, has called for a meeting with the organizations involved to discuss the situation. According to the Ministry’s Legal Services, the annulment does not affect the continuity of the courses. Nevertheless, due to doubts surrounding this interpretation, the government has sought the opinion of the General State Attorney’s Office to provide legal certainty on whether the courses should proceed or be suspended, with the funds returned.

Until the Legal Profession submits its report, Pilar Alegría’s department will convene CEOE, Cepyme, and UGT to communicate the final resolution. In the meantime, the courses continue to be taught, albeit with uncertainty. The organizations are unsure if continuing to offer the courses would be considered fraudulent, given the annulled resolution, or if stopping the courses would be fraudulent, considering that they have already been funded with European funds.

These subsidies are part of the Recovery Plan, subject to rigorous oversight by the European Commission. The organizations have subcontracted other companies to deliver the courses, targeting both employed individuals and the unemployed. They are optimistic that a resolution from the Lawyer’s Office will be provided promptly.