If at 47 he does not have the skills needed, it is very likely he will have to give up the dream.
Needed are university graduates in all sciences to do with extreme cold as well as to do with things only or much better done on Antarctica.
Besides they will need support staff, again most of those with specialties in cold, electronics, mechanics as well as cooks and household staff for those few bases that are moneyed enough to employ them. They will need to be double trained to first aid and to handle other emergency situations.
While cook and household staff sounds like an option, there are so few places, most bases will have their whole staff will pitch in, and loads of people who will try for them. Most places will be given to people known by them.
If he has skills that are in the right direction but not all the way there, train up for cold and harsh weather conditions.
If he has skills that you or him believe might be useful at Antarctica, start writing letters to all organizations in all countries that are active over there.
Expect it to be as hard to find as a needle in a haystack, but he might be lucky.
He needs to have the skills that are required in Antaectic bases, and should look fir jobs with the countries that have bases there. Here is the information for the Australian Antarctic Division: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/jobs/jobs-i...
He can volunteer. Check out this website:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/antarctica/w...
or this one
http://pal.lternet.edu/aboutus/volunteer...
Buy a Penguin Onesie and become a penguin for a year
