In June 2009, the Thales Group and European Metalworkers’ Federation signed an agreement seeking to improve the professional development of the group’s European employees. The European framework agreement is expected to strengthen the employability of employees within the Thales Group through the implementation of an annual anticipation process linked to future employment prospects. Employee representatives are expected to be closely involved in the anticipation process. On 11 June 2009, the management of the Thales Group – the French electronic systems company – and the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) concluded a European framework agreement on improving professional development through effective anticipation (IDEA). Built on the basis of existing good practice identified within various European countries, the agreement will cover 56,600 Thales employees based in 11 European countries. It is the first agreement of a transnational nature signed by Thales in the field of labour policies.