AI FROM BATIMATECH INCREASES DIVERSITY PARTICIPATION WITHIN CONSTRUCTION

Montreal – In a sector as traditional as construction, innovation and inclusion are not words one spontaneously associates with it. Yet, Francis Francis, founding president of Batimatech, has made it his mission to transform this industry by making it more agile, more technological, and above all, more inclusive.

Created as a non-profit organization (NPO), Batimatech has, in just a few years, become a reference point in Quebec. Its role: to bring together different players in real estate and construction around innovation, research and development, but also better representation of society in this still largely homogeneous field.

“The idea of Batimathèque is to lead the construction sector to integrate more technological solutions and innovative equipment,” explains Francis Francis. This goal takes shape through several pillars:

Events: organizing an annual conference bringing together developers, builders, associations, and technology suppliers.

Training: more than 32 programs accredited by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec, available online, for RBQ license holders but also for the general public.

Research and Development: a central pillar of the project. Inspired by an observation – the absence of construction in discussions led by Montreal’s computer research center – Francis initiated the first edition of Batimatech to fill this gap.

Digital platform: recently, the organization launched jebatimenttech.com, an online directory that allows entrepreneurs and professionals to quickly find technological solutions adapted to their needs.

Beyond innovation, Batimatech positions itself as a committed player for better representation within the industry. The DISQ project (Diversity and Inclusion in the Construction Sector), supported by Groupe 3737, aims to increase the presence of women and minorities in the field.

The numbers are striking: only 4% of women work on construction sites in Quebec, about 6,700 people. A timid progression, which took eight years to grow from 1% to 4%.

“The labor pool is aging rapidly. We therefore need to find ways to attract a new generation and, above all, diversify profiles,” stresses Francis. For him, construction is not limited to manual trades: it also encompasses management, design, logistics functions, and can welcome talent from varied backgrounds.

The 8th edition of the Batimathèque conference will take place on September 26 and 27 at the Palais des congrès in Montreal.

On the program:

About thirty technological and innovative exhibitors.

More than 18 conferences and panels on current topics.

A focus on speaker diversity (gender balance, age, and career diversity).

Networking activities allowing participants to build concrete connections.

This year’s theme, “5.0 – Humans at the Heart of Transformation”, marks an important evolution. After the era of automation (4.0), comes collaboration between humans and machines. “The goal is to reflect on the future of our professions in this new paradigm,” explains Francis.

Beyond the technological aspect, Francis Francis’ commitment takes on a personal dimension. As one of the rare Black leaders of an association in construction, he wishes to pave the way for greater diversity in leadership positions.

“I was fortunate to support my children with the resources they needed to succeed. But not everyone has that access. I believe inclusion also comes through tailored support, by giving the right tools to new generations,” he states.

Batimathèque is not limited to bringing the industry together: the organization also seeks to redistribute its gains to the community, through educational projects, partnerships, and integration initiatives.

Quebec’s construction sector employs nearly 200,000 people, but still struggles to reflect the diversity of society. For Francis, it is urgent to rethink this model, both for economic and social reasons.

“Construction cannot be different from the society in which it evolves. If we want it to remain dynamic, it must be representative, inclusive, and innovative,” he concludes.

With Batimathèque, he hopes not only to build solid infrastructures, but also a fairer and more sustainable future for the industry.