Blake McDonald and Peter O'Sullivan have been selected for a three-month Apprent-ICE programme in which they will live and work at Scott Base from January 15 to April 18, supporting the major reconfiguration of the Hillary Field Centre (HFC).
The $4 million project will be completed over the next two construction seasons, enhancing both the quality of Antarctica New Zealand's science facilities and New Zealand's position as a leader of science capability on ice.
Mr McDonald (21) and Mr O'Sullivan (23) are excited about the trip and said it was a privilege and an honour to have been selected.
''We're playing a huge part in furthering our [New Zealand's] science ability down there,'' Mr O'Sullivan said.
''We're very much looking forward to it. It's going to be an amazing experience, based on everything people have told me about it.
''You can't just hop on a plane and go to Antarctica. You've got to be chosen for a role down there. So we're very privileged.''
Mr McDonald said he liked to push himself as far as possible, and this was an opportunity like no other.
Mr McDonald was first in class in the 2012 Otago Polytechnic level 4 carpentry programme, and Mr O'Sullivan was 2013 Southern Region Master Builder Apprentice of the Year.
The initial search for an Apprent-ICE programme winner was focused on selecting one up-and-coming industry leader who was passionate about complex construction and able to demonstrate strong health, safety and environmental values.
However, the calibre of the large number of applicants was so high, the opportunity was extended to two people.
The programme provides up-and-coming building industry leaders with the opportunity to work in one of the most extreme environments on the planet and helps raise public awareness of the importance of the work New Zealand does on the ice.
The pair are part of a 17-member HFC team that includes carpenters, plumbers and electricians.
''It's a high-performance team we are working together with. It's going to be the perfect experience to learn from,'' Mr O'Sullivan said.
During the past week, the team received pre-deployment training, which included extreme weather survival, education on the significance and fragility of the Antarctic environment, and the policies and procedures that govern work there.
They have also received two intensive days of fire training in Christchurch and will receive further job-specific and survival training once they arrive at Scott Base.
The pair will return to Christchurch in April, a month later than most of the summer staff, giving them a unique opportunity to see what life at Scott Base is like during the start of the winter season, with near constant darkness during the day.
Mr O'Sullivan said he recently returned from a holiday in Central Otago where temperatures reached 30degC. Temperatures at Scott Base averaged about minus 5degC at this time of year.
''It's going to be a shock to the system, but no-one ever complains about the cold down there, so it can't be that bad.''
