January 17, 2025
DENYS KOSTIUCHENKO AND HIS WIFE were living in the city of Dnipro, Ukraine when Russia invaded the country in February 2022, another escalation in an already tragic and deadly war.
“We couldn’t take it. It was hard to live, hard to sleep. Constant danger,” said Kostiuchenko.
Feeling less and less safe, the couple decided to leave and immigrated to Burnaby, B.C. in December 2023. Kostiuchenko had been a marketing specialist in the Ukraine but struggled to find similar work in Canada.
“There’s not much trades back in Ukraine, but I heard that Canada had a big construction market where it is highly specialized and it’s very safe. I never worked in trades before, but I was interested in doing things with my hands,” he said.
While searching for work, Kostiuchenko found an Instagram account belonging to a fellow Ukrainian who worked for Alternate Glazing Systems (AGS). He messaged him and asked if there were any opportunities at the company. “He wrote me back,” said Kostiuchenko sounding surprised. AGS, a union company, hired Kostiuchenko. He joined the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades District Council 38 (IUPAT DC 38) and went to work.
After several months, Kostiuchenko said he felt overwhelmed with the amount of information he needed to learn about working with glass in the glazing trade, so he reached out to his union representative. Marv Magnison Jr. knew just what to do and helped Denys to sign up for Level 1 Glazing at the Finishing Trades Institute (FTI).
“Marv is a great guy, always supportive. I was lucky to get into the union right away. The union gave me access to this program for free, which is a big thing for someone who just arrived and I’m just really grateful,” said Kostiuchenko.
Gratitude, professionalism and hardworking are all words FTI glazier instructor Olmo Hernandez used to describe Kostiuchenko. “You can tell he wants to better himself. He’s in a class with fellow Ukrainians and he’s always interpreting and helping,” said Hernandez. “These guys are such good workers. I wish I had more people like that. Anything they do is professional.”
Hernandez would know. He was four years old when his family fled war-torn Nicaragua for a better life in Canada. “I’m a first generation glazier, not a legacy. It’s that same drive Denys has. Perseverance with language differences. It’s really cool to see.”
Kostiuchenko has similarly glowing feelings for Hernandez and said he’s learned a lot from him.
“Olmo has a unique ability to connect with every type of person. He can see when they don’t understand and he can present it in another way. He’s a great teacher,” said Kostiuchenko
Mark Longmore agrees. “One of the nice things about our school is we’re small,” said the FTI director of training. “We’re like a family. When you need information about your apprenticeship, you’re not waiting to take a number. Everyone knows each other’s names.”
Kostiuchenko completed FTI’s six-week Level 1 Glazing program in October and is back working for AGS. He plans to continue his education next year alternating working and studying until he earns his Red Seal.
“Eventually, I’d like to mentor younger glaziers because I’ll have something to give them,” said Kostiuchenko. “There’s a lot of opportunity in construction.”
By Tatiana Tomljanovic