Digital learning engagement and career transitions across age cohorts: evidence from South Korea’s lifelong education system

This study examines population-level associations between digital learning preferences, digital learning engagement, and career development outcomes among Korean adults, with attention to age-related differences in career transitions. A secondary data analysis design was employed using two nationally representative datasets to examine patterns linking digital learning participation and labour market outcomes across age cohorts. Data were drawn from the Korean Educational Development Institute’s Individual Survey on Lifelong Learning (2024; N = 30,829) and national employment statistics tracking career transitions over 24 months. The datasets were analysed in parallel. Multivariate models examined associations between digital learning modality, digital learning preferences, age cohort, and career transition outcomes, controlling for education, prior employment, and industry. Generational disparities emerged: 78.9% of junior adults (25–44) preferred technology-mediated learning, compared with 35.2% of senior adults (45–65+). Higher digital learning engagement was associated with greater likelihood of successful career transitions. Findings indicate that digital divides within lifelong education systems are associated with unequal career transition outcomes across age groups, highlighting the importance of age-adaptive digital learning design and digital literacy support, while acknowledging limits on causal inference.