The candidates, who have been selected by their teachers on the basis of the quality of their work prior to the competition, are evaluated through various tests relevant to official school curricula. These tests are however longer and more demanding than the usual school leaving certificate tests.
In 2016, the young candidate could compete in 48 fields (30 for the upper secondary high school open competition and 18 for the technological and vocational education open competition). 17,372 nominees tool part to the tests this year, in France and abroad.
The contest aims at honouring outstanding students and underlining the excellency of their work, as it can set a shining example for all students. It is open to students during the two last years of upper secondary education coming from public or state-agreed private schools, to graduating students coming from professional and vocational public or state-agreed private schools, as well as to graduating apprentices attending apprentice training centers.
Want to learn more about this contest? We kindly invite you to visit the website of the French Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research:
Each year, several schools preparing students to casting careers suggest candidates, who were selected by their teachers beforehand. After running first tests, only the most outstanding students can perform in the final competition, which is organized by a different school from one year to the next.
The 2016 Awards Ceremony was held in the Sorbonne’s grand amphitheatre, in Paris, in attendance of the French Minister for Education, Higher Education and Research, Mrs. Najat Vallaud Belkacem, who congratulated the laureates and awarded them their prizes. In return, she was presented with the part executed by the students during the final competition.
The Fédération Forge Fonderie, which fully supports the competition, pays tribute to these brilliant young professionals each year in September with an awarding ceremony organized during the graduation ceremony at the Ecole Supérieure de Fonderie et de Forge (ESFF).
Watch a video reportage about the 2012 edition: "Concours Général 2012: un lycéen ardennais 1er au Concours Général"
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March 26 2025
European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator (FISI) marks an increase in February 2025
February 2025 was the second month in a row, which displayed delicate signs that the situation of the European foundry industry is beginning to improve. The European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator (FISI), conducted monthly by the European Foundry Federation, shows signs of a slight economic recovery. Compared to the data from January 2025, the FISI increased from 91.3 to 93.4. This does not mean an automatic, sudden, certain and dynamic economic growth in the upcoming months, yet these are the first signs that the European foundry industry is slowly recovering after an exceptionally difficult year 2024, when the FISI index value fell every month – from 96.2 in January to 89.0 in December 2024. This rise suggests a slight improvement in the industry’s outlook, moving closer to the neutral 100-point mark. This development is partly due to positive expectations for the second half of 2025, as businesses anticipate potential growth and stabilization in demand. At the same time, in February 2025, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI), an index published by European Commission increased from ‑0.94 in January to ‑0.74 and according to the latest news, the euro zone’s GDP growth is expected to increase by +1.4% in 2025, up slightly from +0.7% in 2024.
The latest data shows a normalization of the situation in the eurozone’s manufacturing sector. The eurozone manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 47.6 in February 2025, from 46.6 in January and from 45.1 in December, almost approaching the 50-point threshold that separates growth from contraction. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in the Euro area is an indicator of the economic health of the manufacturing sector. It is based on such indicators as: new orders, inventory levels, production, supplier deliveries and the employment environment. Geopolitical events, those of recent weeks, months and years, have caused revolutions in most industries in Europe. In the foundry industry, it began with a drastic increase in the prices of materials and energy, and declines in production in almost every EU country. Now, the diversification of foundry production is increasingly noticeable. Due to the geopolitical situation, the arms industry and energy industry — which have always been significant recipients of castings — are gaining importance.
The FISI – European Foundry Industry Sentiment Indicator – is the earliest available composite indicator providing information on the European foundry industry performance. It is published by CAEF the European Foundry Association every month and is based on survey responses of the European foundry industry. The CAEF members are asked to give their assessment of the current business situation in the foundry sector and their expectations for the next six months. The BCI – Business Climate Indicator – is an indicator published by the European Commission. The BCI evaluates development conditions of the manufacturing sector in the euro area every month and uses five balances of opinion from industry survey: production trends, order books, export order books, stocks and production expectations. |
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