This article presents patterns in lifelong learning of laborers in the Dominican Republic, in order to: (i) analyse workers’ training and learning patterns in the dynamic sectors of
the economy; and (ii) examine the way the education and training system responds to the needs of businesses and workers. The study analyses the vision of those offering training services, statistically estimates the influence of various factors on the decision to participate in training activities, and quantifies the rate of return of the training received. The results indicate that lifelong learning activities occur more often in workers with higher levels of education, which suggests a vicious circle where the difference in levels of formal education is progressively widened between individuals. In cognitive terms, individuals who have recently received training show greater levels of self-esteem and confidence in facing eventual changes. Evidence shows that such results are not attributable to the idiosyncratic characteristics of the recently trained worker. Lastly, the estimates show that while participation in training activities noticeably impacts workers’ wages, the same individuals do not attribute their higher salaries to the training received. The study concludes with several policy suggestions.