Port Lockroy Recruitment Update | February 2021

16/02/2021

Charities and the travel industry are among some of the hardest hit as a result of the global pandemic and many are still plotting their recovery to be able to move forward. We are looking to the months ahead where our focus is on ensuring our return to Antarctica is possible. Over the next few months, we will be raising the funds to reopen Port Lockroy and undertake the most vital conservation work to our heritage sites. The support we have received from friends across the world has been fantastic so far and every donation is making a difference. Thank you for your ongoing support.  

Each year we recruit a new team to manage our museum, shop and post office in Port Lockroy. We have a bespoke recruitment process with applicants from across the world which culminates in a selection event held in the UK in May. We were not able to run this event last year due to the pandemic and we must now consider the likelihood of being able to host such an event under the current conditions.

Due to the extent of planning involved in running a safe season in Antarctica, we have to start the recruitment process when we do which unfortunately means that postponing this to later in the year when there may be more certainty is not an option. 

We have also explored alternative ways in which we can safely and confidently recruit the team. However as a major focus for us at the selection days is not only observing how individuals work together but also how to create a team we are confident will work well together as a tight-knit group on a remote island, we do not feel that any other interview method would be as effective for us. 

We have always felt that the Port Lockroy recruitment process is one of the most vital things we get right. With this in mind, we have decided not to proceed with the normal recruitment and selection process this year and like last year, we intend to recruit previous Port Lockroy staff only. 

We were really impressed with the calibre of applications last year and aware that many of you were waiting for an opportunity to reapply this year. We understand this news will be very disappointing but we hope you understand why we have made this difficult decision. We are confident the world will be in a better place next year and we plan to open up the recruitment process once again to new applicants. 

If you would like to help and support Pock Lockroy and our conservation work to reopen our site, please consider making a donation and continue to share our films and stories with friends and family. Your support is really making a difference. Thank you.